Rufus Norris on directing and adapting 'Small Island'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand and explain Rufus Norris’s ideas about directing and adapting 'Small Island', including how the play tackles social issues.
Key learning points
- Norris explains how the production coincided with the Windrush scandal and helped highlight its story.
- Norris emphasises the importance of direct address in creating a connection between the characters and the audience.
- Norris says focusing on three characters strengthened the metaphor of Jamaica and the UK as two connected islands.
- Norris explains the challenge of producing the play during the significant events of 2019 to 2022.
- Norris suggests that the play is hopeful because there is “love”, but it remains realistic.
Keywords
Optimistic - feeling hopeful and positive about the future
The Windrush Scandal - a problem where people from the Caribbean, who had lived in the UK for years, were wrongly treated by the government
Exacerbate - to make a bad situation worse
Black Lives Matter - a group and movement that works to stop unfair treatment and violence against Black people
Common misconception
The director just tells the actors where to stand and how to say their lines.
According to Norris, that’s only the simplest description. A director also creates an atmosphere of confidence, supports actors, makes key creative decisions, and ensures the whole production comes together smoothly.
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 is the main purpose of a stage adaptation?
Q2.Which of these best explains the purpose of direct address?
Q3.Why might a director choose to focus on only a few characters when adapting a novel for the stage?
Q4.Which of these is an effect of using direct address in theatre?
Q5.What was the Windrush generation?
Q6.How might the play 'Small Island' help the audience understand the Windrush generation?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which two major events does Rufus Norris say affected the second 'Small Island' production?
Q2.In the stage version of 'Small Island', why was Bernard’s story in India reduced?
Q3.Is the statement true or false? Rufus Norris describes Small Island as a hopeful play, but not “rose tinted.”
Q4.According to Rufus Norris, why was Helen Edmundson chosen to adapt 'Small Island'?
Q5.According to Rufus Norris, why was the rehearsal process for 'Small Island' more difficult in 2022 than 2019?
Q6.What does Norris mean by a “poetic parallel” with the Windrush scandal and the production of 'Small Island'?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Rufus Norris on directing and adapting 'Small Island', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Rufus Norris on directing and adapting 'Small Island', 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.