Leeds Playhouse’s latest production brings a vital and often underrepresented chapter of British history powerfully to the stage.
Small Island, directed by Olivier Award-winner Matthew Xia, serves as a compelling microcosm of the migrant experience during the Windrush generation, placing memory, dreams, empire, and entitlement firmly at its core.
This bold and deeply affecting staging expands Andrea Levy’s celebrated novel into a rich, immersive theatrical experience that feels both epic in scope and strikingly intimate. Moving fluidly between Jamaica and postwar London, the production captures the dislocation, resilience, and quiet courage of those who arrived with hope, only to be met with hostility and exclusion.
Image: Supplied
Hortense and Gilbert’s pursuit of dignity and opportunity is portrayed with warmth and nuance, while Queenie’s compassion and Bernard’s unease reflect a nation grappling with profound social change. The play weaves together multiple narratives shaped by the Windrush era, each driven by a desire for a better life, and each revealing the emotional and physical toll of that journey.
What sets this production apart is its remarkable balance between sweeping historical scope and emotional intimacy. The lilting rhythms of calypso infuse the piece with moments of joy and nostalgia, while stark staging and visual contrasts underscore the bleak realities of 1940s Britain. The parallel lives of the characters highlight the shared struggles faced by many Caribbean migrants of the time.
Image: Supplied
One of the most striking elements is the rotating house in Act Two, which becomes a powerful visual metaphor for division and displacement, physically embodying the discomfort and fractured realities of the characters’ lives. Meanwhile, the use of projection reminiscent of archival broadcast footage transports the audience across continents, deepening the sense of time, place, and lived experience.
At times, the play is harrowing, bringing the struggles of the Windrush generation into sharp focus and leaving the audience in disbelief at the treatment endured. There are moments so charged that you feel compelled to respond to challenge, to question, to intervene. Yet amid the hardship, there remains a strong sense of warmth and the enduring promise of hope. Bronte Barbe delivers a compelling performance as Queenie, portraying her compassion with sincerity and strength.
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However, the standout performance comes from Anna Crichlow as Hortense, offering a powerhouse portrayal that beautifully captures a character driven by ambition, resilience, and deep self-respect.
For those who may have only briefly encountered the Windrush generation in education, this production feels especially vital. It not only illuminates the trials and tribulations faced by a generation but also resonates with ongoing conversations about migration and belonging today.
There is a force in its vision that allows the audience to feel both the physical and emotional realities of the story. Though it does not shy away from bleakness, it ultimately offers connection, reflection, and a reminder of the enduring human capacity for hope.
Image: Supplied
Overall, Small Island is a captivating and emotionally rich production from start to finish. The cast skillfully balances moments of humour with deeply moving scenes, creating a theatrical experience that lingers long after the final curtain. The stories it tells of resilience, injustice, and aspiration feel more relevant than ever.
Theatre continues to act as a powerful lens through which we can better understand both our history and our present, and this production stands as a compelling reminder of why these stories must continue to be told.
Running at Leeds Playhouse, Quarry Theatre until 28 March and you can get your tickets here.
Leeds has been named as one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK by Time Out.
It's time to cancel your city break to London, Edinburgh or wherever you think the grass is greener...because Leeds is now the place to beat.
A new article by Time Out has crowned Leeds as one of the most underrated locations for a UK city break, and we couldn't agree more.
The article praises Leeds for it's fabulous independent music venues, sprawling green spaces and standout restaurants.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
In fact, they perfectly paint out how your city break in Leeds could look. From seeing a gig at the Brudenell Social Club and enjoying dinner at the critically acclaimed Highland Laddie, to drinking at The Domino Club and exploring the 700-acre fields of Roundhay Park.
But don't just take our word for it, here's what the piece had to say about our wonderful city: "Anyone who has ever lived in Leeds already knows its brilliance. From unrivalled independent music venues to sprawling green spaces to quietly outstanding restaurants, this Yorkshire city has it all.
"But outside of God’s Own County, it’s not necessarily the first place people think of when planning a UK day trip or staycation...For starters, it’s the home of Brudenell Social Club, which Time Out recently crowned the greatest live music venue in the entire UK.
"Leeds’ food scene is something to behold, too. Bavette, with its perfectly prepared French fare, is Time Out’s favourite restaurant there (it recently earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its excellent value), closely followed by the uber-cool Empire Cafe, the wondrous Ox Club and the intimate Sushi Nakamura."
We agree with absolutely everything being said, and it's got us craving a city break in our very own city. You can read the full article here.
Lewis Capaldi’s emotional Roundhay Festival return proves Leeds never stopped loving him
Declan Kelly
After Friday night’s Pitbull takeover, which saw thousands of people rocking bald caps and belting out every word, I genuinely didn’t think day two of Roundhay Festival could top it.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Where Friday was one giant party, Saturday was an emotional rollercoaster. The line-up was stacked with artists whose songs have probably soundtracked at least one heartbreak, and judging by the crowd, everyone was more than ready to feel every lyric.
Before the night’s headline act, festivalgoers were treated to performances from Jessie Murph, Jacob Alon and Conan Gray.
One of the best things about festivals is stumbling across artists you might not usually listen to, and Jessie Murph was exactly that. There had been plenty of chatter online questioning the support acts before the weekend, but every single one proved why they deserved their place on the bill. They might not have the mainstream status of Friday’s pop heavyweights, but their talent spoke for itself.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
Lewis Capaldi walked on stage to one of the loudest receptions Roundhay Park has probably ever heard, opening with Hollywood and instantly reminding everyone exactly what they’d missed.
There’s something about a Lewis Capaldi gig that no one else quite manages to recreate.
One minute he’s breaking your heart with songs like The Day That I Die and Someone You Loved, the next he’s got thousands crying with laughter from a story that probably shouldn’t be funny but somehow is.
It’s that balance of vulnerability and humour that makes him one of Britain’s most relatable performers.
Having stepped away from touring to focus on his mental health, Lewis didn’t shy away from talking about his journey. Instead, he embraced it, making the night feel less like a comeback concert and more like catching up with an old mate.
One of the biggest cheers of the night came after he joked about worrying whether anyone would actually turn up following comments he’d made on The Graham Norton Show about ticket sales.
Thousands of phone torches lit up the sky as every word of Someone You Loved echoed around the festival site. It was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why live music matters. Lewis had previously been due to return to Leeds before cancelling shows as he prioritised his health, making this performance feel even more significant.
His last appearance at Roundhay Park was back in 2019 supporting Ed Sheeran. This time, he came back as the main event.
Roundhay Festival gave Lewis Capaldi the welcome he deserved, and Leeds gave every bit of that love straight back.
Declan Kelly -
18th March 2026 
