the main character or lead figure in a play, story, or drama, whose actions drive the plot forward

to give energy or vitality to something. In theatre, this could mean to inject pace, emotion, or intensity into scenes, keeping the audience engaged and the story moving

the speed at which a story or scene progresses. In theatre: Pace controls the rhythm of a play, balancing fast action and slower moments to maintain interest and emotional impact

British English CC

Watching 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 3 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson

English

Exploring 'Small Island' and the Windrush context

Helen Edmundson on adapting 'Small Island' for the stage

'Small Island': from page to stage

'Small Island': reading the start of Act 1 Scene 1

'Small Island': exploring the theme of power through Little Hortense

'Small Island': tracking the events of Act 1 Scene 1

'Small Island': the significance of the hurricane

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 1 with director Rufus Norris

'Small Island': reading Act 1 Scene 2

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 2 with director Rufus Norris

'Small Island': reading the beginning of Act 1 Scene 3

'Small Island': reading the end of Act 1 Scene 3

'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 4-6

'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 7 and 8

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scenes 4-8 with Rufus Norris

'Small Island': exploring Act 1 through the context of Windrush

Exploring and evaluating the importance of Act 1

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scene 1

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 2 Scene 1 with Helen Edmundson

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 2 to 4

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 5 to 6

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 2 to 6 with Rufus Norris

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 7 and 8

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 9 to 11

Watching 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 7-11 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson

Rufus Norris on directing and adapting 'Small Island'

Tracking characters and tension in 'Small Island'

Helen Edmundson on the context, characters and themes of 'Small Island'

Understanding questions and writing thesis statements on ‘Small Island’

'Small Island': creating topic sentences and using quotes in essays

Essay writing: using context in responses to ‘Small Island’

Introductions and conclusions in a 'Small Island' essay

Planning and writing a 'Small Island' essay

Refining and improving an essay on 'Small Island'

In 'Small Island', pupils explore the ways in which transferring Levy's novel onto the stage enables both the playwright and the director to powerfully evoke its ideas about race, identity and belonging. In 'Leave Taking', pupils build on their learning about the Windrush Generation to explore the cultural and generational conflicts, that can arise as a result of migration. 

In 'The Tempest', pupils examine the roles of Caliban and Ariel and how they are treated as outsiders, questioning who has a rightful claim to the island. In 'Small Island', pupils look at the play in the context of the Windrush generation and through the lens of key themes, including identity and belonging.  

In this unit, pupils explore the playtext adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel 'Small Island'. They first explore the transition from novel to stage, before reading the playtext in full and exploring key scenes in detail. They then plan and write an essay on the theme of 'hope' in the text.

'Small Island'

Expressions that are regarded as coarse or otherwise unacceptable, including swear words and rude words.

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Language which has the power to offend including terms of racist or ethnic abuse, sexual and sexist abuse, abuse relating to sexuality, pejorative terms aimed at illness or disabilities and derogatory or inappropriate use of holy names or religious terms.

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

In 'Small Island', at the start of Act 1 Scene 3, where is Gilbert fighting a GI?

In 'Small Island', what does Gilbert tell the audience when he addresses them during his brawl?

In 'Small Island', When Gilbert arrives in Lincolnshire, what is his actual job?

Arguably, in 'Small Island', what emotion does Gilbert often use to cover his pain?

Because the audience needs time to understand the historical context.

Because you have to set up several stories before they start connecting.

Because the story focuses mostly on one character.

Why does Rufus Norris say it’s a challenge to tell a story like 'Small Island' on stage?

They show the different settings clearly with long breaks.

They give the audience time to reflect between characters.

They are fast and smooth to keep the story moving and the audience engaged.

They help the actors prepare for their next scene.

According to Rufus Norris, what is important about the transitions in 'Small Island', especially in Scene 3?

Whose story does Act 1 Scene 2 of 'Small Island' focus on?

Bernard and Queenie argue about donating furniture.

Queenie reflects on how she left her family farm.

Queenie agrees to move to London with Aunt Dorothy.

Queenie tries to break things off with Bernard, but he proposes.

Queenie moves in with Bernard and meets Arthur.

Queenie helps Bernard with his RAF uniform and waves him off.

Put the plot points from 'Small Island', Act 1 Scene 2, in the correct order.

That she’ll live a quiet life in the countryside.

That she’ll be adored and pursued like in the movies.

That she’ll become a nurse in the war effort.

In 'Small Island', what does Queenie imagine when she first moves to London?

moving from one scene or moment to another

old documents, photos, or videos kept for their historical importance

recorded film or video often showing real events

doing things in a practical, realistic way

Match the keyword to the correct definition.

video projection, shadows, and falling props

loud sound effects, smoke machines, and flashing lights

recorded radio broadcasts, actors shouting, and slow motion

gunfire sound effects, spotlights, and actors running

What theatrical techniques does Rufus Norris say were used in Act 1 Scene 2 of 'Small Island', to create the bombing effect on stage?

to add comic relief through awkward flirting

to show how Bernard impresses Queenie with his wealth

to contrast Hollywood romance with Queenie’s real-life love story

to introduce Bernard’s family background early

Why did Rufus Norris want the cinema scene between Queenie and Bernard included in Act 1 Scene 2 of 'Small Island'?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Watching 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 3 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.