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Overview

Synopsis

Small Island tells the story of the Windrush generation, Caribbean immigrants who traveled to England in search of a new life and exciting opportunities. Beginning in Jamaica, before the onset of the Second World War, through to 1948, the play follows the journey of three interconnected characters: Hortense, Gilbert, and Queenie. Hortense has grown up as the illegitimate child in a strict, oppressive household and she yearns for a life away from rural Jamaica. She follows her husband, Gilbert, to England in 1948 but her hopes and expectations are soon dashed. Gilbert comes to England while serving in the Royal Air Force during the war. He dreams of becoming a lawyer and returns to England post-war, hoping to pursue his ambition. Meanwhile, Queenie longs to escape her Lincolnshire farm roots and moves to London to make a new life for herself. When her husband fails to return home from the war, Queenie takes in lodgers and becomes landlady to Gilbert and Hortense. However, Queenie has a secret that will change all of their lives. Hope, ambition, and humanity meet a bleak reality as Small Island traces the tangled history between Jamaica and the UK.

Editor’s Note: As part of depicting the experience of Jamaican immigrants to Britain after the Second World War, at times characters in the play use language which is racially offensive.

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
Andrea Levy's Small Island (2004 novel)
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2019
Genres
Drama, Comedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Jamaica, London, 1940s
Cast Size
large
Licensor
Nick Hern Book
Ideal For
College/University, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen Characters

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Hortense Roberts

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Queenie

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Gilbert

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Philip Roberts

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Miss Ma

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Bernard

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Michael

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Miss Jewel

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Little Hortense

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Little Michael

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Mrs Ryder

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Dorothy

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Celia Langley

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Elwood

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Arthur

Featured

Male

Silent

Miss Todd

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher