A joyous, carefree childhood in Jamaica for the privileged was the complete opposite to the unprivileged children there, and although it wasn’t the usual white versus black divide it did place the lighter-skinned nearer the top. Small Island tells the story of how some of those people fared when they got the call to help out the Mother Country, writes Michael Holland.
The saga spans two continents and is told through the lives of Hortense (Leonie Elliott), Michael (Elliot Barnes-Worrell), Queenie (Mirren Mack), and Gilbert (Leemore Marrett Jr).
Hortense was brought up to believe her light skin was a guarantee of the good life, which it was in Jamaica. Michael and Gilbert felt proud to be able to enlist with the RAF and fight in WWII. All three found that their dreams of a better life crash-landed in Britain as they came up against a wall of racism at every turn. The jobs they once did at home were now closed to them; their skills and education wasted in menial work.
Adapted by Helen Edmundson from Andrea Levy’s book, Katrina Lindsay’s set design allows director Rufus Norris to use the huge stage and huge cast beautifully. The revolving section often overrun with people to create a busy city; others are elevated into the action through trapdoors. Video projections add to the scenes being played out and the first half ends with the Windrush magically appearing for those about to embark on what they hoped would be a life-changing adventure to climb aboard.
In London, Gilbert’s dreams of becoming a lawyer faded as he found work driving a bus and a room at Queenie’s house. Queenie had been in the minority of people who took ‘coloureds’ as lodgers, thereby placing herself in the firing line of hate. Her portrayal of a decent person was countered by her husband Bernard’s hateful racism.
Life never panned out as the Windrush Generation once hoped, with Priti Patel-based repercussions regurgitating distaste even now. So, even though Small Island is set in the 1940s, it is an epic play that is very much relevant today. The Small Island is not only Jamaica, it is small-minded Little Britain.
National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 until April 30th. Times: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Thur & Sat matinees 2pm. Admission: £20 – £89
Booking: 0203 989 5455 – www.nationaltheatre.org.uk