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Year 9 - English

Watching 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 3 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson

'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 consider how structure, pace, and transitions engage and energise the audience.

Key Notes

  • Edmundson says a key challenge in writing is making the audience feel secure and engaged.
  • Edmundson and Norris both address how to overcome challenges in keeping the audience engaged, using clarity and pace.
  • Norris says the first scenes focus on individual stories, which could slow the plot and ask more from the audience.
  • Rufus Norris believes seamless scene changes energise the play and keep audiences engaged.
  • Norris highlights that action and humour in Gilbert's story help keep the audience engaged.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • protagonist: the main character or lead figure in a play, story, or drama, whose actions drive the plot forward
  • energise: to give energy or vitality to something. In theatre, this could mean to inject pace, emotion, or intensity into scenes, keeping the audience engaged and the story moving
  • pace: the speed at which a story or scene progresses. In theatre: Pace controls the rhythm of a play, balancing fast action and slower moments to maintain interest and emotional impact

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Because Gilbert jokes and is confident, it means he isn't really affected by racism or hardship.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Edmundson says a key challenge in writing is making the audience feel secure and engaged. Edmundson and Norris both address how to overcome challenges in keeping the audience engaged, using clarity and pace.

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

the main character or lead figure in a play, story, or drama, whose actions drive the plot forward.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Because Gilbert jokes and is confident, it means he isn't really affected by racism or hardship. Correction: Gilbert uses humour to hide pain. Arguably, his confidence masks his struggle, making his experience more powerful and real. Consider this when you watch the perfomance.

More Lessons In This Unit

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