Reading A Visit to the Theatre

"Well," Adrian said when they were back at his flat, "What do you want to see this evening?"

"There is a play on at the Piccadily Theatre that I'm keen to see", Celia said. "What kind of play?", Adrian asked. "It's a black comedy. It's set in a mental hospital. The patients rebel against the medical authorities and take over the hospital. The rebels are reversed — the patients change places with the doctors. It's a sa­tire on modern society and the nature of authority. The reviews have been very good. Jonothan Jarrot says in the "Globe" that it is a me­morable evening and a great theatrical experience. He's a very experienced theatre critic. The play has a good cast. Liliane Petti-

grew is the female lead. She plays a hospital nurse who t ils in love with one of the patients and then is disillusioned when he be­comes head of the hospital. They say it's one of her greatest roles. There is a strong supporting cast, too. The play has been a consi­derable box-office success — it's been running for almost six months now."

"Well", Adrian said, "What time does the performance begin?" "Eight o'clock." "I'll telephone the box-office and see if I can reser­ve seats. Shall I ask for stalls or circle?" "Stalls", Celia said. "Front stalls if possible. I like being near the stage."

Adrian telephoned. All the front stalls had been taken but there were still a few places in the rear stalls. Since the reservation was made by phone, the tickets had to be picked up half an hour before the play was due to begin.

They arrived at the theatre at about half past seven, collected their tickets and spent a few minutes chatting in the theatre foyer. Then they made their way to the stalls entrance. An attendant sold them a programme and showed them to their seats. They sat and watched the theatre filling up.

After the performance they went to a nearby pub.

"Well," Adrian said, "What did you think of it?"

"Terrible", Celia said. "I didn't like the element of cruelty in the play."

"Well, that's what life is like," Adrian said. "As I see it, the theatre has got to be realistic and deal with contemporary issues. It's no use pretending that these things don't happen. Violence and cruelty are features of our lives. They concern a!! of us."

"I don't agree," Celia said. "The vast majority of people live their lives without having such experiences. Except in the theatre. There's too much emphasis on violence these days Besides, showing violence and cruelty on the stage has a bad effect on public morality. Crimes of violence have increased lately. People see these things performed and go out and imitate them." "There is no evidence that violence on the stage or on the screen influences people's behaviour," Adrian said. "I'm sure it does. And in general I don't like this sort of plays. Let's go and see a musicai next time," Celia said.

Self check

/. Put each verb into the most suitable tense:

It (rain) when I (wake) up last Saturday. It always (rain) when I am not working. We (plan) to go to the seaside, but in the end we (decide) to go to the theatre instead. We (miss) the bus

and (arrive) late. We (arrange) to meet Joe outside the theatre and he (wait) for twenty minutes when we (get) there. The play already (start) when we (go) in.

It's Monday again today, and I (work) as usual. I (sit) here in the office for the last two hours, but 1 (not, do) much work yet. 1 (feel) too fed up to work. I already (have) my holiday this year I (go) to Scotland in July and, of course, it (rain) every day. To­morrow I (book) a holiday for next April in Spain.

//. Translate into English:

— Ты не хочешь сходить в театр в субботу?

— С удовольствием. Я давно не был в театре. Какой спектакль ты предлагаешь?

— Я бы хотел послушать «Кармен».

— Кто поет партию Кармен?

— Елена Образцова.

— Она прекрасная актриса. Ты думаешь, мы сможем купить билеты?

— Мой друг обещал мне достать два билета.

— Спасибо. Очень любезно с твоей стороны, что ты пригласил меня. Я буду с нетерпением ждать спектакля.

Fluency

/. Answer the questions:

Are you keen on theatre? Which do you prefer: cinema or theatre? Why? Which of the Minsk theatres do you like best? Why? When did you last go to the theatre? Did you book a ticket in advance? What did you see? Who was in the cast? How did you find the acting? Did you like the costumes and scenery? Was the house full? Did you have a good seat? Was the performance a success? Do you enjoy opera? Which do you prefer: opera 01 ballet? What opera (ballet) did you see last? Did you enjoy it' What did you like in particular: the music? the singing? the dancing? the sets? What is on at the Byelorussian Drama Theatre now? Who is your favourite actor?

//. Speak on:

a) the Minsk theatres b) your favourite theatre, its cast and repertoire c) your last visit to the theatre.

///. Act out the following situations:

1. On your way home you meet a friend of yours. You haven't seen each other for a long time. You want to get together one

day and go to the theatre. You choose a performance to see. Your friend offers to buy tickets. You agree to meet at your place on the day of the performance.

2. The performance is over. You are leaving the theatre. You are full of impressions. Your tastes differ.

IV. Write about the performance you enjoyed.

UNIT II COMMUNICATION: APOLOGIES. OFFERS. PERMISSION.

a) How to apologize:

	awfully
I'm	sorry, (John), but	(I'm afraid) I've lost	that
		book you lent me.
	very

b) How to accept an apology:

that's all right/O K. don't worry about it Oh, it doesn't matter never mind, forget it!

Conversation I

Sally: Oh, Peter, I've been standing here since half past seven!

Where on earth have you been? Peter: I'm terribly sorry I'm late, Sally, but I just couldn't help

it. I got here as soon as I could. Sally: Well, it's not soon enough, is it? It's too late to go in now,

the play has already started! Peter: I know... and I'm sorry but.... Sally: I've been looking forward to seeing the play all week!

Do you realize that? All week! Peter: Look, Sally, just give me a chance to explain, please¹! was

about to leave the house when my sister called round.

She was in tears. Her boy-friend John had been knocked

down and was critically ill. So I couldn't just rush off

without a word, could I? Sally: Oh, I see. Peter: I am sorry about the play — really I am. 1 know how much

you wanted to see it.

Sally: Yes — well, never mind. We can always see it some other

time.

Peter: Yes, of course we can. Sally: And Peter? Peter: Yes?

Sally: I am sorry for the way I snapped at you. Peter: Oh, that's all right. 1 understand. /. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions:

Why is Sally angry with Peter? Why is Peter late for the play? //. Read the conversation. Find in the text appropriate English phrases for the following:

Где ты был? Я очень извиняюсь за опоздание, но я просто не мог иначе. Уже слишком поздно входить, пьеса уже началась. Прости, но... Я всю неделю с нетерпением ждала, чтобы по­смотреть пьесу. Ты это понимаешь? Послушай, дай мне возмож­ность объяснить. Я уже собрался уйти, когда пришла моя сестра. Понимаю. Я действительно очень сожалею, что так получилось с пьесой. Ничего, мы можем посмотреть ее в другой раз. Прости, что я набросилась на тебя. Все в порядке (ничего).

///. Role-play the conversation.

Practice '

/. Learn the dialogues:

I'm terribly sorry, but I've broken a plate.

Oh, that doesn't matter.

I'm ever so sorry. Tell me where you bought it so 1 can

get you another.

No, certainly not. I wouldn't dream of letting you do that.

I'm very much afraid I've burned a hole in the rug.

— Oh, that's all right.

— I do apologize. I'll buy you a new one first thing on Monday. Of course not. I never liked it anyway.

I'm afraid I've spilt ink all over the table-cloth. Oh, never mind about that. I'm awfully sorry. Won't you let me pay for it? No, I won't hear of it.

I'm terribly sorry, but I seem to have mislaid your scarf. Oh, don't worry about that.

I just don't know what to say. I'll replace it, of course No_s that's quite out of the question. 152

2. —

3. —

4.

4. — Forgive me, please. I meant well.

— Never mind. Forget it.

5. — I beg your pardon. I'm afraid I've taken too much of your

time.

— Not at all, I'm sure. You're always welcome.

6. — Why were you so rude to me at lunch?

— Was I? Sorry. It was wrong of me.

7. — You didn't ring me up last night. You said you would.

— I'm awfully sorry.

//. Accept your friend's apologies:

1. Sorry, I've kept you waiting. 2. Excuse my interrupting you. 3. I'm sorry I overslept. 4. I'm awfully sorry, but I've acci­dentally taken your textbook. 5. I'm so sorry, I've dialled the wrong number. 6. I'm sorry I forgot to post your letter. 7. I'm sorry I mislaid your book. 8. I'm afraid you'll never forgive me. 9. I'm terribly sorry I can't do it right now. 10. I'm awfully sorry I lost the umbrella you lent me. 11. I'm sorry I didn't phone you last night.

///. Think of remarks which may be followed by the following reassurances:

1. —... 4. —...

— It's all right. — Forget it.

2 5

......

— Never mind. — Don't worry about it.

3. —... 6. —...

— It doesn't matter. — That's О. К.

IV. Work in pairs. A apologizes for something he/she has done or failed to do and В accepts the apology:

A apologizes for

1. breaking B's watch

2. dropping ash on B's carpet

3. damaging B's roses

4. not having phoned last night

5. not sending the parcel after all

6. not helping В with his/her suitcase

7. being late

8. not bringing the book he/ she lent you

9. knocking over B's vase

В replies that it was an old one anyway he/she was going to shampoo it soon, anyway they were dying, anyway it wasn't really very important he/she can do it this afternoon

he/she took a taxi

he/she is not in a hurry

he/she doesn't need it at the

moment

he/she never really liked it,

anyway

V. How will you apologize...

if you think you've hurt someone?

when interrupting a person?

if you think you've been rude?

if you damaged somebody's stereo?

if you have kept someone waiting?

if you haven't done your homework?

if you forgot to post the letter someone gave you?

if you broke a string on someone's guitar?

if you forgot to meet someone's sister last night?

if you borrowed someone's book and lost it?

if you were ten minutes late for class today?

if you feel you are taking up too much of somebody's time?

VI. Translate into English (self check):

1. Извините, что побеспокоил Вас.— Ничего. Все в поряд­ке. 2. Извини, я обещала вернуть книгу сегодня, но я забыла.— Ничего. Принесешь завтра. 3. Извини, что опоздал.— Ничего, мы успеем. 4. Прости, что заранее не предупредила тебя о своем приезде.— Все хорошо. Я всегда рада видеть тебя. 5. Прости, я потерял твой словарь. Я куплю тебе новый.— Не беспокойся. У меня есть еще один словарь. 6. Извините за то, что звоню вам так поздно.— Ничего. Я сама только что пришла домой. 7. Изви­ни, что я не помогла тебе.— Ничего, я справилась сама. 8. Про­сти, я забыла зайти за твоим пальто в прачечную.— Не имеет значения. Ты можешь сделать это завтра. 9. Я так сожалею, что разбила твою любимую вазу.— Забудь об этом.

VII. Act out the following situations:

\. A friend borrows your flippers to use on holiday and leaver them in the resort hotel.

2. A friend forgets to buy you some bread which you need foi a party.

3. It's 3 a.m. The phone rings and it's the wrong number.

4. A friend spills black coffee over your new white jacket.

5. You got into the bus without a ticket. A guard comes up to you. You make excuses.

6. You have knocked over a vase. It was on the edge of the table

7. You didn't come to your friend's party because your cousin from Wales arrived unexpectedly.

8. You told a friend last Saturday that you would pick him/her up in the afternoon and take him/her to a football match But you had a car crash on the way to meet him/her.

9. You promised your mother to come and see her yesterdav

afternoon after work. But you were asked to work overtime and didn't finish until 8 o'clock. So you went home. 10. You borrowed your friend's record and broke it.

Offers. Permission.

a) How to offer to do something:

Shall

Can

May

Let

I help you?

me help you.

b) How to accept the offer:

(Yes), please.

That's very kind (nice) of you.

I'd be very grateful.

That would be nice.

Thank you.

Thanks a lot.

Thank you very much.

c) How to refuse the offer politely:

No, thank you (thanks). 1 can manage. No, you needn't. Thank you. No, there's no need. Thanks. No, that's all right. Thank you. Don't bother. I'll manage (it).

d) How to ask permission to do something:

May Can Could

I go home earlier tonight?

e) How to grant permission:

Yes,

certainly.

of course (you/may/can- could).

all right.

please, do

f) How to refuse permission:

Please, don't. I'm sorry, but you can't. (No,) I'm afraid not. No, of course not.

Conversation 2

Boss: Oh, Miss Brown, would you post this letter, please?

Miss Brown: Yes, certainly. And shall I take this parcel to the post-office, too?

Boss: Yes, please. Oh, and Miss Brown...

Miss Brown: Yes?

Boss: Could you work overtime on Friday?

Miss Brown: I'm terribly sorry but I've already made arrange­ments to go somewhere on Friday.

Boss: Oh, I see.

Miss Brown: May I go now?

Boss: What? Oh, yes... yes, of course.

/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions:

What does the boss ask Miss Brown to do? What else does Miss Brown have to do at the post-office? Why can't Miss Brown work overtime on Friday?

//. Listen to the conversation again. Recall the phrases expres­sing requests, offers and permission used in the conversation.

III. Read the conversation. Paraphrase the conversational formulas expressing requests, offers and permission.

IV. Role-play the conversation.

Conversation 3

Joanna: Oh, Simon, could you help me move the table, please?

Simon: Yes, of course Where do you want it?

Joanna: Er, over there, by the wall, I think. It'll give us a bit more

room for dancing, won't it? Simon: Yes, good idea.

(They move the table) Joanna: Thanks. Now, what else? Simon: Shall I move the sofa, too? Joanna: No, there's no need, thanks. It can stay where it is. Oh,

Simon, the light's gone. What a nuisance! I haven't got

any spare bulb.

Simon. Shall I go and buy one? Joanna: Oh, will you, Simon? I'd be ever so grateful!

/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions:

What are Joanna and Simon doing and why? Does Joanna want to move the sofa? Why does Simon have to go out?

//. Listen to the conversation again. Recall the phrases expres­sing requests and offers.

III. Read the conversation. Paraphrase the conversational formulas expressing requests and offers.

IV. Role-play the conversation.

Practice

/. Learn the dialogues'

1. — Could you wait for me, please? I'll be ready in no time.

— Yes, certainly. Shall I wait downstairs?

— Yes, please.

2. — May I help you?

— It would be very kind of you, thank you.

3. — Shall I close the window?

— Please, don't.

4. — Shall I give you a cup of coffee?

— No, thanks. I'm in a hurry.

5. — May I use your typewriter?

— I'm afraid not. I'm going to type some documents.

6. — Will you lend me some money for a few days?

— I'm sorry, I have no money about me. Shall I bring it to­morrow?

— Oh, that's very kind of you.

7. — Could I leave earlier tonight? I have to meet my mother

at the station.

— Yes, all right.

8. — Can I use your phone?

— Yes, please.

9. — Let me carry your suitcase.

— Please, do.

10. — Can I borrow your umbrella?

— Of course, you can.

// Accept the offers-

I. Shall I give you a light? 2. Let me call a taxi for you. 3. Let me give you a word of advice. 4. Shall I help you with your luggage? 5. Shall I send the parcel now? 6. Shall I unpack your suitcase? 7. Shall I have a look at the engine? 8. Shall I lend you some mo­ney? 9. Can I help you? 10. Let me repair your iron. 11. Shall I give you a cup of tea? 12. Shall I type the article for you?

///. Refuse the offers politely:

1. Shall I give you a lift? 2. Shall I wake you up in the morning?

3. Let me translate the text for you. 4. May I help you? 5. Shall I buy this dictionary for you? 6. Shall I switch on the TV set? 7. Shall I book a ticket for you? 8. Shall I fix your typewriter?

IV Offer someone to:

buy some bread, call a doctor, send the letter, photo-copy the documents, translate the article, wash the windows, fix the record player, lend some money, make coffee, post the parcel.

Не/she will either accept or refuse the offer.

V. Grant or refuse permission:

1. Can I use your car? 2. May I leave early today? 3. Ma> I ask you a question? 4. Can I study here? 5. Could I use your vacuum cleaner? 6. May I invite Peter to the party? 7. Can I miss the next English class? 8. Can I borrow your pen? 9. May I open the window? 10. Can I gonow? 11. May I just say a word? 12. Could I have a look at your notes?

VI. Ask someone permission to:

use his/her typewriter, come and see him/her, take the day off, take him/her home, keep the book For another week, smoke, come in, listen to the record, go out, switch on the TV set.

Не/she will either grant or refuse permission.

VII. Translate into English (sell check):

1. Помочь тебе перевести статью? — Спасибо, я справлюсь сам. 2. Выключить телевизор? — Да, уже поздно. Пора спать 3. Подвезти Вас домой? — Нет, спасибо. Я хочу пройтись пеш ком. 4. Можно я включу магнитофон? — Пожалуйста, не надо Я устала и хочу поспать. 5. Разбудить тебя утром? — Спасибо не надо. Думаю, что я проснусь сам. 6. Можно я воспользуюа Вашей ручкой? — Конечно. 7. Разрешите помочь Вам.— Спаси бо, не надо. 8. Зайти за хлебом по пути домой? — Да, пожа луйста. 9. Починить Ваш телевизор? — Да, спасибо. Это очен! любезно с Вашей стороны.

VIII. Ask permission to do things. Someone will either grant or refuse you permission.

IX. Offer your friend to do something. Не/she will accept 01 refuse your offer.

UNIT 12

GRAMMAR: REPORTED SPEECH. IMMEDIATE AND REMOTE PAST REPORT.

Illustrative Situations

The tense of the verb in the original sentence normally changes when this statement is reported as a past event.

a) b) c)

Original statement Reported statement

a) "The road is closed". I told you the road was closed.

b) "They are repairing it." I told you they were repairing it.

c) "The bridge has collapsed." I told you the bridge had col-

lapsed.

d) "No one can cross it." I told you no one could cross it.

While the tense-change shown above is normal, it need not be made if, for example, the speaker wishes to emphasize that the situation described in the actual words spoken still exists and it can also be applied to the time of reporting. Thus:

the road is closed, they are repairing it. the bridge has collapsed, no one can cross it. Bob: I'm tired.

Jim: What did you say?

Bob: I said I'm tired.

In this situation the tense of the verb is not changed because the reported statement is given very soon after the original statement. Olga: Can I miss class tomorrow?

Teacher: What did you say?

Olga: I asked if I can (or could) miss class tomorrow.

The reported statement is near the time and place of the original statement.

Dick:

Present report: Immediate past report: Remote past report: Mary to Jane a month ago: Jane to Lucy a month later:

I'm ready to leave.

Dick says he's ready to leave.

Dick said he's ready to leave. Dick said he was ready to leave. My mother is seriously ill.

Last month I met Mary. She was hurrying to the hospital. She said her mother was seriously ill.

She was very upset. Yesterday Mary rang me up and said her mother is quite well now. (the event is past, the situation has changed.) Mary to Jane today: My mother is seriously ill. Jane to Lucy on the same day:

— Mary said her mother is seriously ill. She is down with pneumonia.

— I'm very sorry.

(the situation hasn't changed, its relevancy at the present

moment is emphasized).

Jane to her teacher explaining why she was late for class: On my way I met I friend of mine. She looked very upset. She said her mother was seriously ill. I had to stop to talk to her. (Jane merely states the fact of something previously said without emphasizing its relevancy.)

— Why didn't you wait for me?

— You said you were not ready and I was in a hurry, (the event is past)

— Let's call on Alec.

— I don't think he is at home. Robert told me the other day he was in Moscow.

(there is a lapse of time, the situation might have changed)

— Glad to see you, Alec. Peter said you were in Moscow.

— I've just returned.

(the situation has changed)

— Mr Smith told me today he knows five foreign languages.

— Yes, and he speaks three of them fluently, (the situation still exists).

The tense of the original statement is usually not changed when the speaker reports a historical fact or general truth: He said Florida is (or was) in the south-eastern United States. Tom said New York is (or was) bigger than London. I said my name is (or was) Earnest.

Notice that in these situations it is also correct to change the verb into the past. But you must use a past tense when there is a difference between what was said and what is really true. Study this example situation:

You meet Ann. She said: "Jim is ill."

Later that day you see Jim playing tennis and looking well. You say: "I'm surprised to see you playing tennis. Ann said you were ill." (not "you are ill", because he isn't ill).

Here are some more example situations:

(John to Clara at a dance)

You are the prettiest girl I've ever met.

Clara to her friend on the morning after the dance:

John told me I'm the prettiest girl he has ever met. (It is unlikely that he has met a prettier girl in the interval). But if Clara reports the conversation to a friend after a considerable interval of time, she will probably (unless she is very vain) say:

John told me I was the prettiest girl he had ever met.

While the present tense may be retained if John reports his own words on the same night he has uttered them, he will not preserve the present tense if he is speaking on the following morning:

I told her she was the prettiest girl I had ever met.

He may still feel that she is the prettiest girl he has ever met, but for him the compliment is less immediate than it is for her: she is interested in the substance of what he said — she treasures the compliment and she hears him still saying it; he recollects the fact of saying it, an event irrevocably in the past, and he naturally gives it a past tense.

This point of immediacy or remoteness of interest arises even in cases when the permanence of the situation is absolute. For Mrs Smith the category of her own blood group is a matter of pressing concern at any point of time from the moment when she first learns it from the doctor:

The doctor told me my blood group is B.

Mr Smith, a loving husband, may identify his interests so entirely with those of his wife that he also will invariably use the present tense. But a mere observer will report:

The doctor told Mrs Smith her blood group was B. Study some more example situations:

— Where is Susan?

— Jack said she is still working in the library. He has just seen her there.

(the situation hasn't changed.)

— John said he's leaving for Warsaw tonight.

— I'm going to see him off. (a future event is expressed)

— Who told you I was going to change my job?

— I don't remember.

— Wasn't it Peter?

— Yes, perhaps it was.

— What put that idea into his head, I wonder.

(there is a difference between what was said and what is really true)

— Mike said he would come and help me with my maths but he didn't.

— Don't you know that he has left for Moscow? (the event is past)

— Peter said we shall have a meeting now. Do you know where?

— In room 25. (the event is future)

Note: Would is generally used even when the event referred to is not yet past)

— Did you speak to Jack yesterday?

— Yes, I did.

— What did he say?

— He said he would finish the scheme next week.

— Dick promised that he would repair my taperecorder tomorrow.

— Last month he promised he would repair my radio-set but he never did.

— Do you know the amazing news? Peter rang me up today and said he has won a car in the lottery!

— Isn't he lucky!

(relevancy, immediacy of interest; seldom used)

Steve told me he saw Lucy yesterday.

Mrs Smith said she moved here two years ago.

(the idea of priority is of no importance, the statements are

reported near the time and place of the original statements.)