The play is based on Andrea Levy’s 2004 novel.
Wednesday, 12 January, 2022, 11:24
The full cast for the Small Island revival at the National Theatre has been named. Small Island begins previews in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre on 24 February, with an opening night on 3 March and performances to 30 April.
Small Island explores the intricate shared history between Jamaica and the UK by following four characters: Hortense who has arrived on UK soil for the first time, landlady Queenie, and servicemen Gilbert and Bernard. Small Island is based on Andrea Levy’s award-winning novel of the same name, and is adapted by Helen Edmundson.
In a review of Small Island in 2019, our critic said: “this big-hearted version of Small Island makes for 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.”
Leonie Elliott will play Hortense, joined by Mirren Mack as Queenie, Martin Hutson as Bernard, and Leemore Marrett Jr. as Gilbert. The Small Island company also features Elliot Barnes-Worrell, Chereen Buckley, Cavan Clarke, Adam Ewan, David Fielder, Amy Forrest, Andrew Frame, Stephanie Jacob, Sandra James-Young, CJ Johnson, Rebecca Lee, Rachel Lumberg, Alicia McKenzie, Daniel Norford, Tom Page, David Webber, Marcel White, and Flo Wilson.
The role of little Michael will be performed by Asad-Shareef Muhammad, Theo-Oliver Townsend and Nasri Thompson. The role of little Hortense will be shared between Ta’lia Harvey, Hosanna-Reine Grimwade and Renee Hart.
Rufus Norris directs Small Island, with scenic and costume design by Katrina Lindsay, lighting design by Paul Anderson, and sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph.
Small Island is at the National Theatre from 24 February.