Small Island (London) London Reviews and Tickets

89%

(25 Reviews)

Positive

100%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Absorbing, Thought-provoking, Great staging, Relevant

About the Show

The National Theatre's dramatic adaptation of Andrea Levy's critically acclaimed novel.

Gilbert dreams of becoming a lawyer, Queenie longs to escape Lincolnshire, and Hortense dreams of a new life away from rural Jamaica.

Following their lives through World War II until their arrival to the UK on the Windrush, their hope for a brighter future is met with the stubborn reality of post-war Britain.

The National Theatre's Artistic Director, Rufus Norris, directs.

Member Reviews (25)

Great writing, Epic, Ambitious, Absorbing

See it if You love a massive long play, that is about the human condition

Don't see it if You hate long plays about racism and acceptance

Resonant, Intelligent, Great acting, Absorbing, Ambitious

See it if You like plays based on real events that use theatricality over kitchen sink realism. Learn about a generation through one woman's story.

Don't see it if You prefer lighter fare that doesn't dig too deep into history or social issues. You prefer plays that a short and whimsical.

Absorbing, Great acting, Intelligent, Intense, Thought-provoking

See it if Want an insight into the making of modern Britain

Don't see it if you are a racist

100

Profound, Intelligent, Great staging, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if You’re interested in the history of the U.K, and the goldrush. If you appreciate great acting and storytelling you will love this too.

Don't see it if If you’re not a fan of play, this is a long one at a little over 3 hours.

Relevant, Great writing, Entertaining, Absorbing, Ambitious

See it if You were a fan of the book, you love intricate and absorbing storytelling and you're interested in the Windrush generation

Don't see it if To be honest I can't think of a reason why someone wouldn't like this!

Must see, Thought-provoking, Great acting, Enchanting, Absorbing

See it if You enjoyed the TV adaptation or the book or if you’re looking for a fantastic show. Comfy theatre and amazing projections - a must see!

Don't see it if You don’t like long plays (3 hours 15 minutes with interval) or struggle with plays about difficult topics

Great acting

See it if Small Island is an extravaganza only possible at the National. The story is important as theatre is one of empathy's greatest teachers.

Don't see it if The story got lost in the vast set.

Resonant, Epic, Exquisite, Ambitious, Absorbing

See it if you like epic plays about important subjects, that still manage to make it accessible for everyone, not too heavy

Don't see it if you are not in a mood for serious themes and long plays

Critic Reviews (5)

The achievement of Helen Edmundson's adaptation and Rufus Norris's sensitive, fluent direction is that of all great art: it makes its points through its characters rather than by imposing arguments on top of them.
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If Small Island appears to have taken a place in the National Theatre’s pantheon already, it is with good reason. And if it is part of a drive to put bums on seats, no matter: it is without doubt the highest calibre of guaranteed hit shows.
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But while Leemore Marrett Jr and Leonie Elliott deliver winning performances as the Jamaican husband and wife Gilbert and Hortense, there’s not much room for subtlety in this panoramic tale of 1940s immigration.
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Yet Small Island’s great triumph is to present that history as very much a living thing. The racism Gilbert encounters while working in a post room still stings from across the decades.
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The play’s running time is three hours and five minutes, but it is a testament to the acting, staging, and indeed the script that not one of those minutes hangs heavily.
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