Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
View my library
0
Teachers
Pupils
View unit
New
New
Lesson 23 of 35
  • Year 9

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 2 to 6 with Rufus Norris

I can use Rufus Norris' comments to explore the contrast of Act 2 and the use of theatrical techniques.

Download all
Share activities with pupils
View unit
Lesson 23 of 35
New
New
  • Year 9

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 2 to 6 with Rufus Norris

I can use Rufus Norris' comments to explore the contrast of Act 2 and the use of theatrical techniques.

Download all
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

View new resources

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Norris explains that Act 2 mostly takes place in the house, as opposed to Act 1, which has different environments.
  2. Act 2 uses the revolving stage to show different views of the house without changing sets.
  3. Norris describes how the use of video becomes less apparent in Act 2 as the characters’ lives become more serious.
  4. There is no direct address in Act 2, making it feel more serious and less hopeful.
  5. Norris describes subtle “flights of fancy” with “Aunty” and “Michael” as reminders of the hope from Act 1.

Keywords

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

  • Vibrancy - liveliness, energy, or brightness in something

  • Remnant - a small part left over from something larger

Common misconception

Gilbert shouting at Hortense shows he doesn’t respect her or care about their relationship

Gilbert’s anger reflects his frustration and the pressures he faces in a racist society. His harsh words mask his deep care and protectiveness, and the scene later shows their developing understanding and connection.


To help you plan your year 9 English lesson on: Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 2 to 6 with Rufus Norris, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need the National Theatre production of 'Small Island', which can be found on 'Drama Online'. Scene 2 begins as Miss Todd enters (1:50:45). Scene 4 ends as Gilbert and Hortense exit (2:18:43)

Content guidance

  • Contains strong language
  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Language may offend
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which word best describes the staging of Act 1, 'Small Island'?

confined
Correct answer: fluid
static
minimal

Q2.
What emotional tone does Act 2 Scene 1 of 'Small Island' primarily convey?

hopeful and dreamy
playful and lighthearted
Correct answer: tense and disappointed
celebratory and joyous

Q3.
Put the plot points from Act 2, scene 1 of 'Small Island' in the correct order.

1 - Gilbert is woken by the doorbell and panics.
2 - Hortense surveys the room with distaste.
3 - Queenie enters and tries to make conversation with Hortense.
4 - Kenneth and Gilbert carry Hortense’s heavy trunk.
5 - Hortense scolds Gilbert for not meeting her at the dock.
6 - Gilbert spills the chamber pot.
7 - Gilbert tells Hortense she is lucky.

Q4.
How does Helen Edmundson use the setting in Act 2 to reflect the characters’ emotional states?

The minimal, enclosed space mirrors their feelings of hope and celebration.
The open set creates a sense of freedom and escape.
Correct answer: The confined, realistic space highlights disappointment and emotional tension.
The shifting set makes the characters feel disoriented and confused.

Q5.
How does the absence of direct address in Act 2 of 'Small Island' reflect the characters’ situations?

It shows that the characters are now more playful and carefree.
Correct answer: It reflects the characters’ more serious, constrained, and realistic struggles.
It suggests the characters are disconnected from reality.
It shows that the characters are confused and uncertain about their actions.

Q6.
Why is the contrast between Hortense and Gilbert so important in Act 2 Scene 1 of 'Small Island'?

It adds comic relief to an otherwise serious scene.
It shows how both characters have exactly the same view of England.
Correct answer: It highlights how different their expectations and experiences have been.
It reveals they already have a strong romantic bond.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
According to the director, Rufus Norris, what effect does the revolve have in Act 2 of 'Small Island?'

It confuses the audience by spinning too often.
It hides the characters when needed.
It represents the characters’ escape from reality.
Correct answer: It lets the audience see different perspectives of the same space.

Q2.
In Act 2 Scene 2 of 'Small Island', what themes are most clearly reinforced by Miss Todd’s confrontation with Queenie and Hortense?

Correct answer: alienation
domesticity
Correct answer: discrimination
ambition
forgiveness

Q3.
In 'Small Island', Gilbert’s confrontation with the railway workers reveals what internal conflict?

Correct answer: He battles between dignity and survival in the face of racism.
He regrets marrying Hortense.
He wants to become a writer.
He is unsure whether to stay in England or return to Jamaica.

Q4.
In 'Small Island', what does Hortense’s encounter at the council office reveal?

That racism doesn’t exist in the education system.
That qualifications from the Caribbean were fully respected.
Correct answer: That structural barriers prevent her from achieving her goals.
That she is lazy and unwilling to work.

Q5.
Why might the director of 'Small Island', Rufus Norris, choose to reduce video and projection elements in Act 2?

Correct answer: To reflect a more grounded, character-driven realism.
To create a dreamlike quality.
To return to historical staging conventions.
Pathé footage no longer existed after the war.

Q6.
Is the statement true or false? In 'Small Island', the imagined appearances of Aunty and Miss Jewel offer comic relief and interrupt the tension.

Correct Answer: false, f, False, F