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

British English CC

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

Watching 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 7-11 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

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

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

Physical illness or injury, medical procedures, blood.

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

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.

How do stage directions usually appear in scripts?

They will raise the baby as their own child.

They promise the baby will be loved and proud.

They will find Bernard and convince him to stay.

In the final scene of 'Small Island', what promise do Gilbert and Hortense make when Queenie hands them the baby?

In 'Small Island', which scene did director Rufus Norris identify as the most **technically** challenging?

Queenie wants to return to her old life immediately.

It is an act of love shaped by harsh realities.

What does Helen Edmundson say about Queenie’s decision to give up her baby in 'Small Island'?

He feels entitled to reclaim his home after the war.

He resents Gilbert and Hortense’s presence due to jealousy.

He wants to avoid responsibility for Queenie’s child.

He is relocating for work and needs the house cleared.

In Act 2, Scene 7 of 'Small Island' what motivates Bernard to insist that Gilbert and Hortense leave the house?

Is the statement true or false? Edmundson believes that 'Small Island's' ending offers a clear, straightforward resolution to the characters’ problems.

Miss Todd confronts Queenie about her lodgers.

Gilbert is harassed by railway workers at the post office.

Hortense serves Gilbert boiled egg and raw potato, leading to an argument.

Gilbert returns with real fish and chips as a peace offering.

Bernard returns unexpectedly and demands the tenants be evicted.

Hortense is rejected from teaching and is comforted by Gilbert.

Queenie touches her stomach, revealing her pregnancy.

Put these plot points from 'Small Island', Act 2 Scenes 2 to 6, in the correct order.

That the neighbours don’t accept Queenie’s lodgers.

That Queenie should clean the house more often.

What complaint does Miss Todd bring to Queenie’s house in Act 2 Scene 2 of 'Small Island'?

She must retrain before teaching in England.

She has been offered a teaching position right away.

In Act 2 of 'Small Island', what does Hortense discover about her job prospects?

He ignores Queenie and talks only to the lodgers.

In Act 2 of 'Small Island', how does Bernard react when he visits Queenie’s house?

What theatrical word, beginning with 'r', describes a rotating stage platform?

He reminds Gilbert of the dangers of hope.

He questions Gilbert’s acceptance of white authority.

He plans a revenge against the Railway Workers.

In Act 2 of 'Small Island', what role does Elwood play in Gilbert’s mind?

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

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

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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