Watching 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 7-11 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson create an emotional impact in the ending of 'Small Island', and consider my own response to the play.
Key learning points
- Norris explains the challenge of staging Queenie’s birth due to multiple technical and emotional factors.
- Norris found Queenie asking Hortense and Gilbert to take her baby the most emotionally difficult scene.
- Norris chose the final image for its powerful and lasting impact.
- Edmundson says Queenie’s decision to give up her baby is a loving act shaped by harsh realities.
- Edmundson thinks the ending shows an uncertain future coupled with love and fragile hope.
Keywords
Thrust stage - a stage that extends into the audience on three sides, creating intimacy and immersion
Sight lines - the audience's view of the stage; directors must ensure all key action is visible from different angles
Revelation - a surprising or previously unknown fact that is made known
Inhabit - 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
Stage directions - instructions in a script that guide movement, tone, and staging to support the writer’s vision
Common misconception
The best endings are always neat and fully resolved, tying up every storyline.
While neat endings can feel satisfying, 'Small Island' shows powerful endings often include uncertainty. Edmundson says the play balances hope and love with an unclear future, making it realistic and thought-provoking.
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.
Equipment
You will need the National Theatre production of 'Small Island', which can be found on the website 'Drama Online'. Scene 7 begins with Bernard on stage (2:18:43), and the production ends at 2:49:07.
Content guidance
Contains strong language
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Language may offend
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
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 violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put these plot points from 'Small Island', Act 2 Scenes 2 to 6, in the correct order.
Q2.What complaint does Miss Todd bring to Queenie’s house in Act 2 Scene 2 of 'Small Island'?
Q3.In Act 2 of 'Small Island', what does Hortense discover about her job prospects?
Q4.In Act 2 of 'Small Island', how does Bernard react when he visits Queenie’s house?
Q5.What theatrical word, beginning with 'r', describes a rotating stage platform?
Q6.In Act 2 of 'Small Island', what role does Elwood play in Gilbert’s mind?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How do stage directions usually appear in scripts?
Q2.In the final scene of 'Small Island', what promise do Gilbert and Hortense make when Queenie hands them the baby?
Q3.In 'Small Island', which scene did director Rufus Norris identify as the most technically challenging?
Q4.What does Helen Edmundson say about Queenie’s decision to give up her baby in 'Small Island'?
Q5.In Act 2, Scene 7 of 'Small Island' what motivates Bernard to insist that Gilbert and Hortense leave the house?
Q6.Is the statement true or false? Edmundson believes that 'Small Island's' ending offers a clear, straightforward resolution to the characters’ problems.
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Watching 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 7-11 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Watching 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 7-11 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson, 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.