The cast and creative team of an exciting new stage version of the late Andrea Levy’s Small Island were thrilled to welcome her husband Bill Mayblin to rehearsals.
He spent the day with the 15-strong cast in the first week of rehearsals at Leeds Playhouse as they worked on director Matthew Xia’s powerful and intimate new portrayal of the multi award-winning novel, adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson, which premieres at Leeds Playhouse before transferring to Birmingham Rep and Nottingham Playhouse.
“I was privileged to come to Leeds to sit in on an early rehearsal, and was thrilled and moved to witness Matthew and the brilliant young cast members discussing with passion and insight not only the play, and its source the novel, but also the continuing relevance of its themes and its message to modern Britain and to the very lives of all the cast members themselves,” said Bill.
“This is not just a play about Britain’s past; it is about the legacy of that past for our lives now. As Andrea’s widower I always want to stay close to the continuing interest in her work and that is why I wanted to meet the creative team and give my support to this exciting new production. Had she lived Andrea would have been here, I know, cheering it on.”
Bill explained that Andrea was always keen for her novels to be adapted for other media – radio, film, TV and, especially, theatre.
“Andrea once said to me that some of the most exciting and rewarding cultural evenings she had ever spent were at the theatre,” he said. “Theatre, she felt, was formula-free, could go anywhere, do anything. A bit like fiction writing.”
She formed a close and trusting relationship with Helen Edmundson, who adapted Small Island for the stage. But Andrea’s illness meant she was unable to see it develop into the National Theatre’s production in 2019 and, sadly, she died just before the opening night.
“I think she would be even more excited about this new production,” said Bill. “With Matthew Xia as director, it has the guiding hand of someone who has an intimate and personal understanding of the issues that underpin the story. This was always important to Andrea.”
Small Island director Matthew Xia said: “It was a very special honour to welcome Bill into the rehearsal room. As an advocate for Andrea’s work and a passionate guardian of her legacy, we are incredibly grateful that he chose to spend the day with us. His generosity – giving us his time, his knowledge and his blessing – is an invaluable gift, helping us get even closer to the story and to its original creator.”
Small Island is a Leeds Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Nottingham Playhouse production, in association with Actors Touring Company. This new co-production is the first to bring the story to audiences outside London – premiering in the epic Quarry Theatre at Leeds Playhouse on 11 – 28 March before transferring to Birmingham Rep on 1 – 18 April, and Nottingham Playhouse on 28 April – 16 May. Find out more.
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