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Year 9 - English

Helen Edmundson on adapting 'Small Island' for the stage

'Small Island'

Unit Summary

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.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use Helen Edmundson's comments to explore the processes and challenges of adapting a novel for the stage.

Key Notes

  • 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.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

  • Adaptations just copy the story from the book. The writer doesn't have to change much or make many decisions.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key 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.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'adaptation'

changing a story to fit a new form, like turning a novel into a play.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Adaptations just copy the story from the book. The writer doesn't have to change much or make many decisions. Correction: 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.

More Lessons In This Unit

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