Small Island with the National Theatre at Home

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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Small Island

18-25 June 2020

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Small Island with the National Theatre at Home
Image courtesy of Brinkhoff-Moegenburg.
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To mark Windrush Day 2020, the National Theatre will stream their epic stage adaptation of Andrea Levy’s Orange-prize winning novel, Small Island.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the National Theatre have been consistently brilliant in sharing accessible world-class performances via their YouTube channel. It’s a real testament to the importance of a cultural institution, like the National Theatre, that it has something as powerful as this production of Small Island, to share right now.

Filmed live during its sold-out run in 2019, Andrea Levy’s epic novel about the Windrush Generation makes a hugely entertaining three hours of theatre. Embark on a journey from Jamaica to Britain, through the Second World War to 1948 – the year that HMT Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury.

Following three intricately woven stories, a company of 40 performers take to the stage for this timely and affecting story. Hortense wants for a new life and to escape rural Jamaica, Gilbert dreams of becoming a lawyer, and Queenie longs to escape her Lincolnshire roots. Tracing the tangled history between Jamaica and the UK, hope and humanity meet stubborn reality.

Small Island felt hugely relevant when it was first performed in 2019, in the wake of the Windrush scandal and the call for the men and women who came to the UK from the Caribbean in the 1940s to have their cultural achievements and influence on British society properly recognised. Now, a year later, in the throws of global unrest and racial anger, this play seems even more relevant than ever.

While you’re here…be sure to check out our full (and frequently updated) guide to the best online things to do in Manchester and the North.

Where to go near Small Island with the National Theatre at Home

Hern Food
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Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
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Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
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Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
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Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Sela opened in 2004 with an idea to provide quality imported beers from around the world, fun cocktails to compliment the beer selections and a stage for the region’s finest and most talented musicians to play on.Over ten years later, we’re still all about the beer, cocktails, live music and pizza!We carry over a selection of over thirty different beers spanning the globe from Pickering with The Great Yorkshire Brewery’s Yorkshire Blackout, to New York with a selection from Brooklyn Brewery, and Belgium with longtime Sela favourite, Vedett.Our cocktails change regularly too. Our best-sellers are joined by fun, new offerings and our pizza menu is regarded as one of the best the city of Leeds has to offer.As for the live music, Sela has had not only the great and the good from the region. Local funksters, The New Mastersounds are regular visitors and we stage the amazing Mojah Reggae Band for their weekly Wednesday residency.  Our other long running programming incl
Leeds
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Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

Leeds Beckett SU
Leeds
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Leeds Beckett Student Union

Leeds Beckett Student Union hosts big-name artists and supports students through events, live music, and a vibrant campus venue.

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There's ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and entertainment facilities, making for a great evening out!

Watch the latest film releases and enjoy the industry-leading Sony 4K Digital screens, boasting spectacular picture quality, along with enhanced audio quality courtesy of Dolby 'Profound Sound'. Stepped SuperVue seating means you will never miss a second of the action while VIP seating guarantees you an extra touch of luxury whenever you want to upgrade.

Three of the nine screens showcase the newest 3D releases while Vue Classical brings the latest stage sensations to the big screen, and parents can save as they go with Family Tickets and Kids AM screenings offering great value for money.
Leeds
Cinema
Vue Cinema – Leeds Kirkstall Road

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There’s ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and

Restaurant 2
Leeds
Café or Coffee Shop
Empire Café

Empire Café is located in Leeds’ ‘home of day dining’- Fish street!

Restaurant
Leeds
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Phranakhon

Phranakhon Thai Tapas is a revolutionised Thai dining restaurant with a combination of European indulgence and authentic Thai tastes.

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Leeds
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Wen’s

Wen’s is a family owned Chinese restaurant specialising in authentic, home cooked cuisine.

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