Small Island Review: Windrush Epic Resonates with Startling Clarity in 2026
Brought to the stage with profound gravitas, Daniel Ward as Gilbert and Mark Arends as Bernard in Small Island captivate audiences, as captured in Pamela Raith's striking photography. This regional premiere at Leeds Playhouse, directed by Matthew Xia, breathes new life into Andrea Levy's sprawling family saga, originally adapted by Helen Edmundson. Featuring stellar performances across the cast, the production speaks to our current era with startling clarity, proving that a novel from over two decades ago, telling a story that begins over a century ago, holds immense relevance in 2026.
A Timeless Adaptation with Contemporary Echoes
Rufus Norris originally helmed the National Theatre production in 2019, but Xia's approach allows the play to exist authentically in its period, without tinkering with time or place. The costumes and deceptively simple set transport viewers between the two world wars that devastated Britain, then to 1948 when the HMT Empire Windrush docked near London, and finally to the freezing cold "welcome" Caribbean immigrants received on this small island. This historical framing underscores how Levy's narrative echoes recognizably today, from fears of foreign men to casual racism displayed by so-called allies.
In a powerful moment, Gilbert, portrayed with intensity by Daniel Ward, confronts an abuser, questioning their sense of superiority and reminding them that white skin merely signifies whiteness—"that is all." This speech could easily be drawn from modern essayists like Reni Eddo-Lodge or Akala, highlighting the play's uncanny resonance with contemporary discussions on race and immigration.
Magnetic Performances and Optimistic Undertones
While the racist attitudes depicted might feel depressingly familiar, suggesting little progress in the nearly 80 years since Windrush, the promise of new life injects a note of optimism at the climax. Anna Crichlow delivers a magnetic performance as Hortense, and Bronté Barbé shines as Queenie, adding depth to this necessary history play that feels all too contemporary. The sprawling epic follows Gilbert, a Jamaican who joins the British war effort, returns to Britain, and moves in with Queenie, one of the few willing to rent to Caribbean immigrants. Their lives intertwine further when Queenie gives birth, weaving a complex tapestry of relationships and struggles.
Small Island runs at Leeds Playhouse until 28 March, then moves to Birmingham Rep from 1 to 18 April, and Nottingham Playhouse from 28 April to 16 May. This production not only honors Levy's legacy but also serves as a poignant reminder of ongoing social issues, making it a must-see for theater enthusiasts and those interested in historical narratives with modern implications.
