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

'Small Island': from page to stage

English

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'

Depiction or discussion of famine, disease, natural disasters.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

They are designed to be performed on a stage

'Small Island' is a play. What are the common features of a play?

They can establish how the audience should enter the theatre

They can establish the dialogue between characters

They can explain how an actor should deliver their lines

'Small Island' includes stage directions. What are the purpose of stage directions?

In 2017, it was revealed that the government was attempting to deport some citizens who had legally migrated to Britain in the 1940s-70s. This was known as the {{}} scandal.

In 'Small Island' three of the characters tell their stories to the audience. This is an example of what dramatic technique?

an accent from specific Caribbean regions

a language made up between Miss Jewel and Hortense

In 'Small Island' Miss Jewel says: "Nuh fret nah, me sprigadee." This is an example of Jamaican patois. What is this?

Edmundson adapted Levy's original novel 'Small Island'. As the playwright, which of these would she be responsible for creating?

Who wrote the original novel 'Small Island' in 2004?

Who wrote the adaptation of 'Small Island' for the stage in 2019?

What term beginning with 'W' refers to the group of Caribbean migrants who arrived in the United Kingdom between 1948 and 1971?

Britain's welcoming attitude towards migrants

the voyage to Britain was cheap and luxurious

employment - there was a post-war labour shortage 

'Small Island' includes a number of characters who migrated to Britain from Jamaica. Why was there a mass migration movement to Britain after World War Two?

Which term is used to express the sense of belonging or allegiance felt by Caribbean migrants to the United Kingdom, particularly in the context of the Windrush generation?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

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

'Small Island': from page to stage

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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