a group of states or countries ruled over by one leader e.g. a monarch

a lack of equality or devoid of similarities

to become part of a group, country, society or culture

referring to colonialism, where a country establishes control over another country

Exploring 'Small Island' and the Windrush context

English

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

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

'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'

changing a story to fit a new form, like turning a novel into a play.

working together with one or more people to achieve a shared goal

a strong hope or goal to achieve something

when a character speaks directly to the audience

Why was it important to adapt Small Island for the stage?

How was this adaptation of Small Island developed, and what was your role?

What was your role once the play had entered rehearsals and then production?

a large number of, or a variety of things

conversation and spoken interactions written for a play, book or film

a variation of a language spoken in a particular part of the country or by a particular group

variation of English, or dialect, specific to Jamaican speakers

to behave according to expectations and usual standards

where a speaker talks directly to the audience

a scene that is set earlier than the main story

the favouring of lighter skin over darker skin which leads to discrimination

the idea that people can be ranked in society by their power and status

refers to someone who was born without their parents being married; it is not a term we use very often today

a person who is viewed as special or better than others

to use language or act in a way that disrespects God

xan refer to the country you are born in or a country you are emotionally attached to; in colonial countries Britain is often referred to in this way

an instruction in the play script that explains how it should be performed and presented

a warning or indication about events to come

a theme, image, character or plot element that is used across many texts

the opinion people have about someone or something

short, old-fashioned news videos shown in cinemas before TV was common and made by the film company Pathé

officially removed or cut off from a church or group

a clear difference between two things that should match

shared by a group of people or used together

Rufus Norris introduces and discusses 'Small Island' Act 1 scene 1

how a writer creates and constructs a fictional character

a dominant or recurring idea or theme in a text

a description where characteristics are exaggerated to create a comic effect

experiencing pain or hardship without complaining

in theatre, it is a way of moving from one scene or moment to another using sound, lighting, movement, or set changes

a collection of old documents, photos, or videos kept for their historical importance

recorded video or film, often used to show real events or add meaning on stage or screen

dealing with things in a practical and realistic way, rather than focusing on what is ideal or theoretical

the use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say

easily persuaded or willing to believe most things

not trusting or unwilling to believe that there are good intentions

describes language that is informal or casual everyday language

a literary device that evokes feelings of pity or sorrow

total lack of purpose or feeling that something is pointless or useless

laws in the United States from the 19th and 20th centuries that enforced racial segregation

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

being ambitious or desiring success, linked to status

representing the most perfect or typical example of something

different parts or things being linked or related

suggesting that something bad is going to happen; also threatening and menacing

dealing with things in a systematic and realistic way

viewing something as perfect even if the reality suggests something different

becoming a part of a group, country, society or culture

a word or phrase used to express similarities or differences

putting two very different things side by side to highlight contrast or create meaning

having weaknesses or faults, like making mistakes or bad choices

showing skill or being clever and quick in the way something is done

very famous and easily recognised; representing something important or special

clearly and directly stated, with no confusion or doubt

Why was the ending of Act 1 staged differently?

when a country establishes control over another country, exploiting it for economic gain

when you relocate from one country to another

when you make people believe something- a less formal synonym is to brainwash

discrimination and prejudice against people based on their race or ethnicity

the willingness to do something or a reason to act or behave in a specific way

an idea that is explored in a text in different ways, to fully explore the complexity of that idea

a cast that comprises of many different main actors- there is not a single protagonist

means to stir up or encourage an action, usually in a forceful, urgent way

the establishing of key information, characters and setting in a text

a feeling of satisfaction at your achievements or situation

the act of not being loyal, or doing the opposite of what is said

the idea that society is organised in terms of status and power

unfair or unreasonable opinions formed without thought or knowledge

the use of a word or phrase to avoid saying an offensive word or phrase

in theatre, fluidity refers the smooth and seamless flow of movement, scenes, or ideas during a performance

using humour to comment or remark on a serious issue

associated with a high social class and meant to show exaggerated politeness and respectability

to remove from a person the qualities that make them; to take away someone's identity

a state of anxiety, confusion or disturbance

the most perfect or typical example of something

using words to create a vivid picture for the reader

in theatre, is a part of the stage that turns in a circle to quickly change scenes or settings

liveliness, energy, or brightness in something

a small part left over from something larger

the use of images to represent specific ideas or themes

the action of repairing something. To make amends to those that have been wronged or harmed

evoking a strong emotional response. Revealing a significant meaning

to show or represent the most important features of something

describing something that is similar to something else.

something that feels pointless or lacking any worth

having subtle differences or distinctions that add depth or complexity to something

a cyclical structure is where the events at the end of a text mirror the start

in terms of stories or texts this refers to the conclusion or the end. More specifically, an ending that feels definite and finished

a stage that extends into the audience on three sides, creating intimacy and immersion

the audience's view of the stage; directors must ensure all key action is visible from different angles

a surprising or previously unknown fact that is made known

to live in or occupy a space -  in theatre, this can refer to an actor fully embodying a character, making their behaviour and emotions believable

instructions in a script that guide movement, tone, and staging to support the writer’s vision

What is the significance of the ending, and what were you trying to achieve with

feeling hopeful and positive about the future

a problem where people from the Caribbean, who had lived in the UK for years, were wrongly treated by the government

a group and movement that works to stop unfair treatment and violence against Black people

How was the stage adaptation of 'Small Island' developed?

What is it about 'Small Island' that makes it stageworthy?

is to face difficulties, challenges or hardship in life

a situation or feeling or confusion, disorder and chaos

a recurring theme, image or idea that contributes to the overall meaning of a text

occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not, leading to tension or humor as events unfold

an exchange between people, often with something expected in return

understanding and sharing someone else’s feelings

true or relevant for everyone, everywhere

the general mood, ideas, and beliefs of a particular time in history

having a narrow or limited view of the world; isolated or inward-looking

What do you think the title Small Island refers to?

What story does Small Island tell us about the windrush generation?

How are Queenie and Bernard different, and why is their dynamic important?

How does the play explore the gap between dreams and reality?

To what extent do you think Small Island is a hopeful play?

What themes, ideas or questions would you like pupils to pay attention to?

the overarching argument to an essay supported by the entire text

the first sentence of a paragraph; it states the paragraph’s main idea

a hope or ambition of achieving something

the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text

the first sentence of a paragraph- it states the paragraph’s main idea

these are quotations which support your topic sentence, and that require analysis

these are quotations which support your topic sentence, but don’t require analysis

to treat someone or a group of people as if they are not important; to place them outside of society

The control by one country over another. At various points the British Empire controlled 56 countries.

The people who emigrated on the HMT Windrush between 1948 and 1971.

Where a text, for example a novel or a film, is made into a theatrical production for the stage.

The spread of people from their original homeland.

In relation to context, when you embed into paragraphs rather than including as isolated facts.

an argument which is overarching encompasses all the main ideas or themes of a text

something that does not change as a result of time or fashion

an adjective used to describe a text which, regardless of time period or circumstance, audiences can relate to

The overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text.

The process of creating and developing characters. This can be through dialogue and physical description.

In essays, this means your points will be well sequenced.

Using theatrical techniques to write and produce plays. This includes things like setting and lighting.

Refers to the specific techniques used in plays to create theatrical effects e.g direct address.

in writing, this means to effectively develop and continue to build on ideas

you are elevating something if you are making it higher, or in the case of writing making it better

in writing, the structure is cohesive if it is clear how the parts fit together. It has a clear introduction, middle and conclusion

'Small Island'

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