Small Islandis a 2019 play byHelen Edmundsonbased on the 2004novel of the same namebyAndrea Levy.It tells the deeply connected stories of three people against the backdrop of the complex history of theUnited KingdomandJamaica.It premiered at theNational Theatrein 2019 to critical acclaim.
| Small Island | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Helen Edmundson(play) Andrea Levy(novel) |
| Based on | Small IslandbyAndrea Levy |
| Date premiered | 17 April 2019 |
| Place premiered | Olivier Theatre,National Theatre, London |
| Original language | English |
Synopsis
editHortense yearns for a new life away from rural Jamaica, Gilbert dreams of becoming a lawyer, and Queenie longs to escape her Lincolnshire roots. In these three intimately connected stories, hope and humanity meet stubborn reality, tracing the tangled history of Jamaica and Britain.[1]
Productions
editSmall Islandpremiered in the Olivier Theatre at theNational Theatre, Londonin 2019. Previews began on 17 April, with an official opening on 1 May, and the production ran until 10 August. The production was directed byRufus Norris.As well as selling out its run at the National Theatre, it was broadcast to cinemas as part ofNational Theatre Liveon 30 May 2019.[2]Andrea Levy,who wrote the novel on which the play is based, died in February 2019, just a few months before the play premiered. The playwright,Helen Edmundson,called working with Levy 'a joy and a privilege', saying:
Like her books, she was uncompromising and funny, wise and honest. There was nothing I couldn’t ask her, and always something we could laugh about. Although we sometimes fantasised about miracles, we knew it was very unlikely that she would ever see the play. Her support for the script I arrived at meant everything. I once told her that adaptingSmall Islandwas as complex and important as adaptingWar and Peace.She loved that. She was, and is, one of the greats.[3]
Following the success of the 2019 run, the production was scheduled to return to the Olivier Theatre from in October 2020, however has since been cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[4]The NT Live recording was streamed onYouTubeas part of the National Theatre at Home programme from 18 to 25 June 2020.[5]
Critical reception
editSmall Islandreceived critical acclaim.Michael BillingtonofThe GuardianpraisedHelen Edmundson's 'remarkable adaptation' and the play's 'willingness to confront racism', giving it five stars and calling it one of the top two theatre shows of 2019 and 'one of the most important' plays of the year.[6][7][8]Kate KellawayofThe Observergave the play five stars, praising Edmundson's 'virtuoso' adaptation.[9]Claire Allfree of theMetroalso gave the play five stars, praising it as 'accessible and excellent'.[10]Ann TrenemanofThe Timesgave the production four stars, praising the 'immediacy' of the adaptation.[11]Matt Wolf ofThe New York TimesandThe Arts Deskdescribed the production as the 'complete theatrical experience', and praised the play as 'Sweeping when needed but also touchingly intimate'.[12][13]Andrzej Lukowski ofTime Outgave the production four stars, praising Edmundson's 'supreme work'.[14]Sarah Crompton ofWhat's On Stagegave the 'all-encompassing and absorbing production' four stars.[15]Marianka Swain ofBroadwayWorldgave the production four stars, praising Edmundson's 'fleet-footed' adaptation.[16]Mark Shenton ofLondonTheatre.co.ukgave the production four stars, writing that it was 'big, bold, poignant and powerful storytelling theatre. It has a grand epic sweep but also a surprising intimacy on the vast Olivier stage that made a vocal, refreshingly diverse audience really respond to it'.[17]
Publishing
editThe play is published byNick Hern Books.[1]
References
edit- ^abLevy, Andrea (2019-04-18)."Small Island (stage version), By Andrea LevyAdapted by Helen Edmundson".Nick Hern Books.Retrieved2020-05-11.
- ^"The National Theatre's new season has been announced".Evening Standard.Feb 19, 2020.RetrievedMay 11,2020.
- ^Lea, Richard (Feb 15, 2019)."Andrea Levy, chronicler of the Windrush generation, dies aged 62".The Guardian.RetrievedMay 11,2020– via theguardian.
- ^"The National Theatre's new season has been announced".Evening Standard.2020-02-19.Retrieved2020-05-04.
- ^Wiegand, Chris (2020-06-11)."National Theatre announces final free streams including Small Island".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved2020-06-11.
- ^Billington, Michael (Mar 19, 2020)."It's curtains for theatre – but not, let us hope, for too long | Michael Billington".The Guardian.RetrievedMay 11,2020– via theguardian.
- ^Billington, Michael (May 2, 2019)."Small Island review – Levy's Windrush epic makes momentous theatre".The Guardian.RetrievedMay 11,2020– via theguardian.
- ^Billington, Michael (Dec 17, 2019)."Top 10 theatre shows of 2019".The Guardian.RetrievedMay 11,2020– via theguardian.
- ^Kellaway, Kate (May 4, 2019)."The week in theatre: Small Island; Avalanche: A Love Story; The Half God of Rainfall – review".The Observer.RetrievedMay 11,2020– via theguardian.
- ^"Theatre review: Small Island".Metro Newspaper UK.RetrievedMay 11,2020.
- ^Treneman, Ann."Review: Small Island at the Olivier Theatre, SE1".RetrievedMay 11,2020– via thetimes.co.uk.
- ^"Best of 2019: Theatre".theartsdesk.28 December 2019.RetrievedMay 11,2020.
- ^Wolf, Matt (May 30, 2019)."In This 'Death of a Salesman,' Willy Loman Is Black".The New York Times.RetrievedMay 11,2020– via NYTimes.
- ^"'Small Island' review | Theatre in London ".Time Out London.RetrievedMay 11,2020.
- ^"Review: Small Island (National Theatre) | WhatsOnStage".whatsonstage.RetrievedMay 11,2020.
- ^Swain, Marianka."BWW Review: SMALL ISLAND, National Theatre".BroadwayWorld.RetrievedMay 11,2020.
- ^Shenton, Mark (May 2019)."Review - Small Island at the National Theatre".London Theatre Guide.RetrievedMay 11,2020.