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Year 9 - English

Rufus Norris on directing and adapting 'Small Island'

'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 understand and explain Rufus Norris's ideas about directing and adapting 'Small Island', including how the play tackles social issues.

Key Notes

  • 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.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

  • The director just tells the actors where to stand and how to say their lines.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key 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.

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

feeling hopeful and positive about the future.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: The director just tells the actors where to stand and how to say their lines. Correction: 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.

More Lessons In This Unit

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