No longer booking

Epic and inspiring. Small Island returns to the National Theatre

The acclaimed, five-star production of Andrea Levy’s prize-winning novel, Small Island, returns to the National Theatre this Spring.

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

Small Island follows their lives through the Second World War until the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury, where hopes for the future soon meet the stubborn reality of post-war Britain.

Adapted by Helen Edmundson and directed by Rufus Norris, this ‘resonant, funny and moving’ (★★★★★ Mail on Sunday) play brings to life the tangled history of Jamaica and the UK.

Small Island is booking until 30 April 2022 at National Theatre, London.

What is Small Island about?

Hortense yearns for a new life away from rural Jamaica, Gilbert dreams of becoming a lawyer and Queenie longs to escape her Lincolnshire roots.Small Island follows their lives through the Second World War until the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury, where hopes for the future soon meet the stubborn reality of post-war Britain.

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Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Venue Information

National Theatre - Olivier Theatre , Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PX

Nearest Tube or Train: Waterloo (Jubilee line, Northern line, Bakerloo line)

Nearest Buses: 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, X68, RV1

Directions

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Critics' reviews of Small Island

★★★★★ 'Extraordinary. A spectacular adaptation of Andrea Levy's Windrush novel.' Observer

★★★★★ 'Resonant, funny and moving' Mail on Sunday

★★★★★ 'A tremendous, dance through a pivotal moment in British history.' Metro

★★★★★ 'Epic and inspiring. Small Island has found its ideal home.' Daily Telegraph

Frequently Asked Questions

Small Island is playing at the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre in London
The running time of Small Island is 3 hours 5 minutes (including interval)
Yes, Small Island has matinee performances on the following days: Saturday
No, sorry, Small Island has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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