National Theatre rehearsal diaries give an insight into the rehearsal room process.

In this written resource, Staff Director Anna Himali Howard details how director Rufus Norris and the company worked together to bring Small Island to the stage.

Learning outcomes

This education resource will support students to understand the rehearsal room process. For students studying the play for as part of an English Literature course, the resource also offers insights into interpretation, context and character.

Olivier Theatre, 2019 and 2022.

Small Island, adapted by Helen Edmundson; based on the novel by Andrea Levy; directed by Rufus Norris; set and costume design by Katrina Lindsay; lighting design by Paul Anderson; projection design by Jon Driscoll; composer and music direction by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell; sound design by Ian Dickinson.

Photo © Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

The full production is available to stream on the National Theatre Collection

Suitability

Suitable for 13+/KS3+

Content warning

References to racism, war and death

Andrea Levy, Helen Edmundson, Rufus Norris, adaptation, Windrush, WW2, A Level Drama and Theatre, English Literature, AQA