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BrumHour saw Small Island at the invite of Birmingham Rep.
By Dave Massey
This production contains strong language and racial slurs.
Small Island at Birmingham Rep: Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐An ambitious, bold production
Directed by Matthew Xia, Adapted by Helen Edmundson
Set before, during and after World War II in both Jamaica and London, Small Island explores the lives of two women and the men in their lives. Hortense (Anna Crichlow) grows up in Jamaica and is taken in by her extended family, including Michael (Rhys Stephenson). In England, Queenie (Bronté Barbé) is romanced by Bernard (Mark Arends), who courts and marries her before heading off to war. Their lives become interwoven by Gilbert (Daniel Ward).
The performances are excellent, and Anna Crichlow is particularly a standout as the proper Hortense, whilst Paul Hawkyard is a total scene stealer despite hardly speaking a word on stage as Arthur. Daniel Ward is excellent as Gilbert, raw, honest and aiming for a better life at every step of the way. Bronté Barbé is heartbreaking as Queenie, trapped by her situation and circumstances.
This is a lengthy show at three hours and twenty minutes, split into two ninety-minute halves, with a twenty-minute interval. The first hour itself is set up as the actors talk directly to the audience in character.
The stage is static for much of the first half, with sections lowering from the rafters, during the second half, two full rooms appear on the rotating stage to really show the cramped, close conditions that people lived in. The music is bright, vibrant and evokes a time long gone as to the costumes.
The story doesn’t shy away from sexism, racial slurs and exploring stereotypes of the time and hearing the audience react to the very strong language really put us closer to the story. However, at least one of the plot strands seemed to hang in the air a little with some setup but no payoff. Does Queenie recognise Hortense or not?
An ambitious, bold production, Small Island is at Birmingham Rep until 18th April 2026. Book tickets here: birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/small-island.
