Fill in the blanks with a suitable noun.

                    

        scene (n) / stage(n)

                 Mind: scene – a part of a play;

stage - a raised platform on which a play is presented

   

1. He was the first to appear in the opening …, so he felt quite nervous as he stepped onto the …. 2. Where are the actors? All of them are on the … 3. She’s been on the … for more than 30 years already. 4. The audience were greatly impressed by the … of a great battle. 5. The final... when the father and the daughter met was really moving.                 

 

                          conductor(n) / usher(n)

Mind: usher – a person who directs people to the correct seats in a theatre;

conductor – a person who conducts a musical ensemble.

 

 

1. At the concert the … led the lady to her seat. 2. A few minutes later the … appeared and the choir began to sing. 3. A … is a person who conducts a group of singers, a band, or an orchestra. 4. People who are late for the performance must ask the … to show them to their seats. 5. He is a world-famous....

 

 

               performance(n) / play(n) / production(n)

Mind: performance – a public presentation of a play;

play – acting of a story on a stage;

production - something produced, as aplay.

 

 

1. The appearance of an actor or an actress at the end of a … to be applauded is called ‘a curtain call’. 2. It takes about five months to prepare a National theatre … 3. The … is called Julius Caesar. 4. When Judy put on her own... at home for her relatives, they were all entertained by the sight of the young girl twirling around in her home-made costumes.

 

 

                               cast(n) / company(n)

Mind: cast - a group of actors to whom parts in a play are assigned;

company - a group of musical or dramatic performers.

1. A theatrical … is a group of people working together. 2. That was a play with all-star-… 3. The entire … of the play deserves praise for this performance. 4. The... is on tour at the moment. 5. The … of the play was excellent.

 

 

Fill in the missing preposition or adverb.

1. The play is going to be a great success … the audience. 2. It’s no good sitting glued … your TV-set all day long. 3. We’ve got three seats … the evening performance tonight. Would you like to join us? 4. What do you think … modern Russian drama? 5. Today many film-making studios in the USA have moved... Beverly Hills. 6. I’m auditioning … a part … the play tomorrow, and I hope I get it. 7. He’s been cast … Othello. 8. It appears that children spend too much time......... their TV’s. 9. Social scientists think that nowadays children are much affected... television and cinema violence. 10. Show your tickets … the usher, please. 11. Foyer is the large area … the main doors … a theatre where people meet and wait. 12. We never go to see a play … its first night. We prefer to wait a few weeks. It’s usually better then. 13. Tickets are bought … the booking office. 14. Finally the audience burst … applause.

 

(at; as; by; for; for; in; in front of; into; inside; of; of; on; to; to; to; with)

Fill in the blanks with articles where necessary.

  ¹… English drama is completely dominated by William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616). He is ²… great playwright and poet of ³… Renaissance widely regarded by ⁴… people of ⁵… world as one of ⁶… greatest writers who ever lived. He wrote thirty-seven plays, mostly in ⁷… verse, many of which are still frequently acted. They include comedies: A s You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest and Twelfth Night; ⁸ … great tragedies: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, King Lear and Othello. Hamlet is considered as ⁹… summit of Shakespeare’sart. It is taken from ¹⁰… spirit of his own time, ¹¹… profoundest expression of Shakespeare’s humanism and his criticismof contemporary life. Hishistorical plays include Richard III, Coriolanus, Anthony and Cleopatra, Henry IV and Henry V. His plays contain ¹²… surprising variety of humanqualities and moods, and ¹³… wealth of eloquence (красноречие) and ¹⁴… word mastery. Yetalmost nothing is known of Shakespeare himself beyond ¹⁵… fact that he was born at Stratford-on-Avon, which today has ¹⁶… Memorial Theatre.

 

 

Translate into English.

1. Этот фильм – экранизация известного романа Вальтера Скотта. 2. В репертуаре этого театра, в основном, пьесы русских классиков. 3. Не стоит сидеть весь день перед телевизором, это вредно для здоровья. 4. Этот мюзикл имел у зрителей большой успех, но продержался на сцене недолго. 5. Кто играет Джульетту в этом фильме? 6. Прозвенел первый звонок. Поднялся занавес. Актеры вышли на сцену. 7. Ему удалось купить два билета в Большой театр. В тот вечер там давали “Спящую красавицу”. 8. Когда опустился занавес, зал разразился аплодисментами. 9. Его вызывали на “бис” три или четыре раза. 10. Вам понравился вчерашний спектакль? - Нет, не очень. Декорации были не очень удачными, а у ведущего актера дрожал голос. 11. Когда будет премьера вашего спектакля? 12. Вам оставили два билета в кассе (театра). 13. Как вам понравился спектакль? – Великолепно! 14. Говорят, что это совершенно новая постановка с новым составом исполнителей. 15. Не волнуйся, я заказал три места в партере по телефону. 16. Этот фильм дублирован? – Да. 

 

 

                                    DIALOGUES

  Practise the dialogues using the substitutes.

1

A: I want two seats for Saturday’s evening show (tomorrow’s  matinee, tonight’s evening performance).

B: Would the dress-circle (upper circle, gallery, box) suit you? The stalls are sold out.

A: Perhaps you could find two seats in a box, not very far from the stage?

B: Only the back seats.

2

 

A: How did the audience take the musica l (operetta, drama)?

B: There was much applause (there were a lot of curtain calls).

A: I understand it was a success (a hit).

B: So it was.

 

3

A: What is the comedy (musical, opera) going to be about?

B: If you want to know about it or the actors (cast), just go and buy a programme (read the review).

4

 

A: Is anything worth seeing on Channel 1 (2,..)?

B: I think it’s a debate or audience discussion ( acurrent affairs programme, a thriller, a dog show, a quiz).

A: Do you mind if we switch over?

B: Well, I rather wanted to see the holiday programme (a documentary, the health and family problem programme, a comedy).

 

 

A SPECIAL TREAT

 

(from ‘Act of Will’ by B.T. Bradford)

 

(Abridged)

 

Audra comes to London to get her daughter Christina settled in the flat before she starts her courses at the Royal College of Art.

 

Audra looked pleased as she came into the bedroom and sat down on one of the twin beds.

Christina swung around, still holding the silk dress pressed close to her little body. ‘What do you think about this for the theatre tonight, Mummy?’

Audra nodded her approval.

Christina flashed her a vivid smile, hung the dress on the top of the cupboard door and said, ‘I’d better find the right shoes and bag... the black patent, I think. And perhaps I’ll take the grey silk Dior shawl Grandma gave me for my birthday, just in case it gets cool later.’

‘I doubt that’s going to happen,’ Audra said, ‘it’s been awfully hot today. In fact, I think we’re in for a heat wave this weekend.’

‘Don’t say that, Mother!’ Christina made a face. ‘Not when we’ve planned to go to Windsor Castle for the day on Sunday. I don’t fancy the idea of sweltering in the scorching August sun all day, as we tramp around the grounds.’

That evening Christina took Audra to see her favourite actress and actor – Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier.

They were starring in the Festival of Britain production of Shaw’s Caesar and Cleopatra and Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra, each play being performed back to back on successive nights.

This was Christina’s big surprise for her mother.

Audra knew they were going to the theatre, but she had no idea what they were going to see and she was thrilled when Christina told her their destination.

‘There’s no point in seeing one play without the other, so I bought tickets for both nights, Mummy, and we’ll be coming back tomorrow.’

‘Oh, darling, how extravagant you are, just like your Daddy,’ Audra said, but her face glowed with happiness.

‘This is a theatrical first, Mum, I know we’re in for a splendid evening in the theatre, one we’re not likely to forget,’ Christina remarked, filled with pleasure that she could do something nice for her mother.

Audra could hardly contain her excitement as they took their seats in the theatre, and she reached out and squeezed her daughter’s hand, whispered, ‘Thank you, Christie, for thinking of this very special treat for me... I know I’ll never forget it.’

From the moment the curtain rose on the great sphinx that opened the Shaw play and would close Shakespeare’s the following night, they were captivated by this most famous of all husband-and-wife acting teams and all of the other actors and actresses.

Audra and Christina talked about the performances and the costumes and the scenery for hours afterwards, both on the bus returning to the flat, and when they were having a cup of tea together before going to bed.

‘Vivien Leigh is simply beautiful,’ Audra said, ‘And as for her coronation robes – why I’ve never seen anything more magnificent. And Sir Laurence Olivier is the consummate actor, the greatest on the stage today, isn’he?’

‘He certainly is, Mummy,’ Christina agreed. ‘I can’t wait for tomorrow night.’

Before either of them realized it, Audra’s second week in London came to an end.

It had been a wonderful time for them both. Apart from getting settled in the flat before she started her courses at the Royal College of Art in September, they had been able to share some happy days together. They had been to see other plays and to the pictures, which they always enjoyed; they had visited museums and as many art galleries as they could cram in. Every minute had been precious to mother and daughter, and Audra said she would never forget her two weeks with Christina at this time in her daughter’s life.  

 

Notes

 

1. close adv – not distant in position or time. E.g. The actress was holding a letter pressed close to her heart.

2. successive adj – coming one after the other. E.g. In November the company is giving seven successive performances.

3. thrilled adj – extremely pleased. E.g. She was thrilled to see her favourite actress.

4. treat n – something that gives pleasure, esp. not often enjoyed or unexpected. E.g. It was a great treat for her to have been invited to the first-night. 

5. consummate adj fml – perfect, complete in every way. E.g. She is a consummate actress (= She has all the qualities of an actress). 

 

Proper Names

 

Anthony /'xntqnI/       Laurence  Oliver /'lO:rqns 'PlIvq/

Audra /'O:drq/                      Shakespeare /'SeIkspIq/

Caesar /'si:zq/                Vivien Leigh /'vIvIqn 'li:/

Christina /krIs'ti:nq/   Windsor /'wInzq/

Cleopatra /klIq'pa:trq/   

           

 

1. Give the Russian equivalents for the following word-combinations.

 

to get settled in the new flat; to start a course; the twin beds; a vivid smile; the right shoes; on the top of the cupboard door; the black patent bag; a heat wave; tramp around the grounds; back to back on successive nights; to have no idea; tickets for both nights; their destination; to glow with happiness; a theatrical first; filled with pleasure; to contain one’s excitement; to take one’s seats; to squeeze smb’s hand; a very special treat; the most famous of all husband-and-wife acting teams; the costumes and the scenery; for hours afterwards; the consummate actor; either of them; apart from getting settled in the flat; to share some happy days together.

 

 

2. Find the following sentences in the text. Translate them into Russian.

 

1. Audra nodded her approval. 2. I doubt that is going to happen. 3. I don’t fancy the idea of sweltering in the scorching August sun all day. 4. We’re in for a splendid evening in the theatre. 5. Audra could hardly contain her excitement. 6. She reached out and squeezed her daughter’s hand. 7. They had been able to share some happy days together. 8. They had visited museums and as many art galleries as they could cram in.

 

 

3. Change the following sentences according to the models.

 

Model 1. Our seats are in the stalls, so we can see the stage quite well. (get opera glasses). – Our seats are in the stalls. What’s the point in getting opera glasses? 

 

1. She doesn’t like theatre (invite). 2. All the tickets have been sold out (call the box-office). 3. We’ve missed the first act (see the second one). 4. The play was given a very cold reception by the critics (go and see).

 

Model 2. Our seats were in the balcony. We could not see what was going on the stage very well. – We could hardly see what was going on the stage.

 

1. The lighting was so poor. We couldn’t see the scenery well. 2. The news was so shocking! It was hard to believe. 3. The play was a hit. It was next to impossible to get tickets for the performance. 4. It was very noisy in the auditorium. We couldn’t hear the actors quite well. 5. The scene was so amusing. It was hard for me to suppress my laughter.

 

 

4. Answer the following questions.

 

1. Why did Audra and Christina come to London? 2. What did Christina choose to wear for the theatre? 3. What was the weather like that day? 4. Why was Audra thrilled when Christina told her their destination? 5. Who was starring in the Festival? 6. What plays were performed in the Festival? 7. Why do you think Christina didn’t tell Audra what they were going to see? 8. What was Audra’s reaction when she learnt what they were going to see? 9. Why do you think Christina told her mother that there was no point in seeing one play without the other? 10. How did the mother and the daughter feel in the theatre? What was their impression of the performance? 11. What did Christina and Audra talk about for hours afterwards?  12. Why was the time they spent together so precious to them? 13. What other places did they go to? 14. How would you comment on the title of the text?

 

 

5. Translate from Russian into English using the vocabulary from the text.

 

1. В этом платье я собираюсь пойти в театр, но к нему мне нужны подходящие туфли и сумка. 2. Что это за пьеса (фильм)? - Не имею представления. 3. Дети очень обрадовались, когда узнали, что их поведут в цирк. Их лица светились счастьем. 4. Своди свою сестру на новую пьесу для детей. Вряд ли она забудет этот чудесный спектакль! 5. Спасибо за билеты на премьеру. – Что вы! Не стоит благодарности. Я так рад, что смог сделать для вас что-то хорошее. 7. В Америке мы увидели много интересного, но особой радостью для нас стало посещение театров на Бродвее. 8. Зрителей захватила игра молодых актеров. 9. После спектакля они часами говорили об актерах, декорациях и костюмах. 10. Я считаю, что его можно назвать настоящим артистом! 11. Он так обрадовался, узнав о том, что победил в телевикторине, что с трудом мог говорить. 12. Я чувствую, мы проведем сегодня замечательный вечер!

 

 

                    SPEAK UP

 

1. Describe the events that took place that night. Imagine you are a) Christina; b) Audra.

 

2. Make up a conversation that could have taken place between

a) Audra and her husband on her coming back home;

b) Christina and one of her fellow students at the Royal College of Art.

 

3. Discuss the following questions.

 

1. What are the functions of theatre? What makes it attractive for you? 2. What is the play you saw last? What is the main idea of the play? Who was it staged by? Who played the leading parts? 3. What are the most famous theatres in Russia? Have you visited any of them? When did it happen? What was the cast that night? 4. What are the names of the Russian performers who enjoy international reputations? 5. Do you prefer to see a performance which has had a long run or which is a first night? Why? 6. Which are your favourite seats in the theatre? 7. Are there any amateur theatricals at your University? What kinds of plays are staged there? Have you seen any? What was your impression? 8. How many times have you been to the cinema this month? 9. What kind of films (TV programmes) do you enjoy (avoid, hate) seeing? 10. In what way do you think television has influenced the film industry? Do you agree that nowadays theatre and cinema have lost a great deal of their attraction because of TV and video?