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Workshops
Planning
Final rehearsals
Opening night
Early rehearsals
Publicity
The Play’s the Thing
1. The Royal National Theatre on the south bank of the Thames contains three theatres with nearly 2500 seats in all. The National performs a wide variety of plays, offering at least six different productions at any one time. It takes about twenty weeks to put on a new play…
2. The director of the play has overall responsibility for the production. One of the first things he or she has to do is work out a budget for the cost of the play. Next comes casting; the actors are chosen mainly from the National’s company. Meanwhile, the director and the designer plan sets, costumes and music.
3. The director meets the cast in the rehearsal room to discuss the play, and the designer brings in costume drawings and a model of the set. Then there is usually a full read-through of the script. Actors may refer to their script for the first two weeks, but after that they are expected to know their words. Early rehearsals are largely spent working out the actors’ entrances, exits and movements.
4. The stage sets are constructed either in the in-house carpenter’s workshop or, in the case of larger items, outside the building. The scenery is painted on the National’s paint frame, the costumes are made by the wardrobe department, and the ‘props’, such as crockery and table lamps, are bought or constructed by the properties department.
5. Now it is time to advertise the new production. The press office keeps the media informed about what is happening, and tickets are sent to the critics. An illustrated programme is produced. The marketing department organises advertising campaigns, has leaflets and posters printed and distributed, arranges the price of tickets with the box office, and offers advance booking through the mailing list.
6. Rehearsals become more frequent, using real furniture and props, and costume fittings are arranged. With the transfer from rehearsal room to stage, there are extensive lighting and sound rehearsals, followed by full-scale dress rehearsals. Production photographs are taken for issuing to the media and for display in the theatre foyers.
7. On the first night, the play usually begins early, to give the critics time to write their reviews for the next morning’s newspapers. Good luck cards and telegrams are taken from the stage door to the actors’ dressing rooms. After the performance the cast normally celebrate with a first night party. A new production has been launched.
8. It is twenty weeks before the opening night. Make sentences saying what has to be done. Use some of these verbs: choose, construct, design, distribute, make, print, publicise, rehearse.
9. It is now half way through the rehearsal period. Make sentences saying what is being done.
10. Read the text again and check whether you have left anything out.
16. Can you guess what fringe theatre is?
WHAT IS A FRINGE?
“Fringe” theatre is the performance of plays that are unusual or that try to make people think differently.
Presenting live theatre in an informal, accessible and inexpensive environment, the Fringe strives to break down traditional boundaries between audience and artist, encouraging open dialogue between theatre-goers and theatre-creators. Audiences are invited to experience the work of seasoned veterans alongside that of emerging artists. Local, national and international performing companies benefit from working together and learning from each other in a vibrant and exciting festival atmosphere. In order to stimulate artistic innovation, applications for participation in Fringe festivals are accepted on a non-juried, first-come, first-entered basis.
HISTORY
Fringe Festivals have been entertaining audiences for over 50 years beginning with the original festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. In time these artistic celebrations spread around the world. Over the past 20 years, the Fringe movement in Canada has grown to include 18 festivals and you now can enjoy the presence of more 'Fringes' than any other country. The Edmonton Fringe Festival is Canada's oldest and largest festival. The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival has enjoyed tremendous growth and success since its inception in 1987 and is the second largest event of its kind in North America.
Are there any experimental theatres in Belarus? What do you know about them?
Have you ever seen an avant-garde play? What were your impressions of it?
If you had a chance, which of the London theatres would you go to?
17. Read the text and say:
What is the center of theatrical activity in New York?
What famous American playwrights are mentioned in the text?
How is the theatre in the U.S. financed?
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