A play that focuses on the harsh realities of postwar Britain for the Windrush generation and examines the consequences of empire...
Andrew Squire Elwood in Small Island
Pamela Raith
A full audience was transfixed at Nottingham Playhouse by Olivier-Award-winning Matthew Xia’s production of Small Island, based on the novel of the same name by Andrea Levy. This run marks the first time this important piece, a tale of love and loss across the divides of race, class and continents, has been shown on stage outside London. As well as Nottingham Playhouse, the play is also being performed to audiences in Leeds and Birmingham.
Adapted from the novel for the stage by Helen Edmundson, Small Island powerfully examines the themes of identity, loss and belonging in the Windrush era, centring around the stories of four protagonists, Hortense, played by Anna Crichlow, Michael, played by Jordan Laviniere and Rhys Stephenson, Gilbert, played by Daniel Ward, and Queenie, played by Bronté Barbé. All are excellent. In particular, Crichlow and Barbé deliver captivating performances, articulating in distinctly feminine ways the enduring pain caused by racial prejudice.
the moving stage becomes almost a character in itself
Also of note is the performance of Paul Hawkyard as Arthur, the traumatised former soldier and father-in-law of Queenie. Rendered mute by PTSD, Arthur nevertheless is one of the play’s most memorable figures, mainly due to the expressiveness of Hawkyard’s depiction.
The clever, sharp stage production adds to the theme of division that is so central to the story – particularly in the second half, where the moving stage becomes almost a character in itself. Equally striking are transparent screens used to project striking text and footage in black and white, marking the end of one scene and the beginning of another.
Director Matthew Xia is multi-talented, also working as a journalist and acclaimed musician under the pseudonym Excalibah. As well as being an Olivier-Award winner, Xia was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Arts London (UAL) for his work to make theatre more equitable, accessible and representative.
Overall, this long but thoroughly engaging piece is highly recommended for all theatregoers – in terms of provoking reflection as well as entertainment.
Small Island runs at the Nottingham Playhouse from Thursday 30 April to Saturday 16 May 2026.
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