Helen Edmundson on adapting 'Small Island' for the stage
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use Helen Edmundson’s comments to explore the processes and challenges of adapting a novel for the stage.
Key learning points
- Edmundson suggests there is a “freedom” to writing adaptations that requires you to think differently.
- Edmundson describes the challenge of shortening or reworking character stories.
- Edmundson explains the significance of direct address and its link to the personal stories the characters tell.
- Edmundson describes the importance of the close working relationship she had with Andrea Levy.
- Edmundson and Levy made a conscious decision to keep challenging scenes and moments in the play.
Keywords
Adaptation - changing a story to fit a new form, like turning a novel into a play.
Collaboration - working together with one or more people to achieve a shared goal
Stark - very clear, plain, or harsh
Aspiration - a strong hope or goal to achieve something
Direct address - when a character speaks directly to the audience
Common misconception
Adaptations just copy the story from the book. The writer doesn’t have to change much or make many decisions.
Adaptations need big changes to work on stage! Edmundson tested scenes in workshops, adjusted them in rehearsals, and watched audience reactions in previews to make sure the story was clear and powerful in performance.
Teacher tip
You may wish to consider the timing of this lesson. Each learning cycle can be taught as a standalone lesson if needed. This will ensure there is enough time to watch and fully engage with each of the videos.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What word, beginning with 'a', describes when a story is turned from a novel into a play?
Q2.Who wrote the original 'Small Island' novel?
Q3.Is the statement true or false? The original 'Small Island' novel has more than one narrator.
Q4.How does Helen Edmundson’s use of direct address in 'Small Island' help the audience engage with the characters’ stories?
Q5.What does Helen Edmundson suggest the title 'Small Island' represents?
Q6.According to Edmundson, why might a playwright reduce the number of characters or narrators in a stage adaptation?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the stages of adaptation and production in the correct order.
Q2.What does Helen Edmundson say is a main difference between writing a play and adapting a novel?
Q3.Why did Helen Edmundson reduce the role of Bernard in the stage version of 'Small Island'?
Q4.Which of these best explains why Helen Edmundson stops using direct address in Act 2 of 'Small Island'?
Q5.What does Edmundson say about her role as a writer after the play 'Small Island' opened?
Q6.Is the statement true or false? In the play 'Small Island', Helen Edmundson kept all of Michael’s scenes exactly the same as in the novel.
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Helen Edmundson on adapting 'Small Island' for the stage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Helen Edmundson on adapting 'Small Island' for the stage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the 'Small Island' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.