UNIT 2. THEATRE

VOCABULARY STUDY. WORDS IN CONTEXT

THEATRE

INTRODUCTORY TEXT

The 20th century brought great changes into the theatre. Television, radio, cinema, video altered the course of the major performing arts and created the new ones. But still there are hundreds of musical comedy theatres, drama theatres, opera houses, puppet theatres, philharmonics and conservatoires where the audience is excited at the prospect of seeing a play and the actors are most encouraged by the warm reception. But first, I'd like to tell you some words about the theatre. It is a building where plays, operas or ballets are performed. Of course, it has a stage for the actors and an auditorium where the audience sits. The curtain usually separates the stage from the auditorium. As a rule, the curtain is dropped or lowered between the scenes or acts of a play. The most expensive seats are in the stalls, boxes and dress-circles. The seats in the balcony, pit and the upper circle are comparatively cheaper. An intricate system of lights illuminates the stage. While the curtain is down, the workers on the stage can change the scenery and prepare the stage for the next part of the performance.

A play lives a long life before it makes its appearance on the stage before the audience. It is a real part of art and its creation calls for inspiration, talent and artistic ingenuity. A playwright conceives an idea and after months of hard work his idea develops into the script of the play. Finally, when everything is ready and the rehearsal goes off without a hitch, a dress rehearsal is called. After some time the curtain rises, the play faces the audience on its first night. As for me, I am not much of a theatre-goer but sometimes I like to go to the theatre with my friends or relatives just to relax. But I'll never forget my last visit to the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre. My mother bought two tickets at the advance box-office for the performance "Eneiyda." It was a stage version based on the Kotlyarevsky's novel.

There were brilliant actors and actresses in the cast, I should admit. The leading actor was inexpressibly moving and top favourite. It seemed to me he was at his best and the play kept the audience in suspense from beginning to end. The company gave the truly remarkable play — moving, captivating, provoking laughter and tears by turns. Besides, it was a great educational value. During the interval everybody talked about the brilliant acting of the actors.

The concluding scene was exciting enough, the final moment was thrilling and unforgettable. The actors received a tremendous acclamation from the packed audience. There was no doubt it was warmly received by the audience, many of pieces were encored. I admired everything: the wonderful scenery, marvelous acting, charming music. And it was obvious that the play was a great success.

TASKS

Exercise 1. Comprehension questions.

1. What are great changes that the 20^lh century brought into the theatre?

2. Can you say what the theatre is?

3. Where are the best / the cheapest seats in the theatre?

4. What is the puppet theatre?

5. What is the curtain used for?

6. When and how do you book seats for the theatre?

7. When do actors receive calls?

8. How is that each person in a large audience can see the actors on the stage without discomfort?

9. What is the difference between a cinema and a theatre? Which do you prefer?

10.Which of the two, the theatre or the cinema, is more popular in our country? Why do you think it is so?

11.What role does the theatre play in our life?

12.How often do you go to the theatre? When was the last time you went to the theatre?

13.Which Ukrainian (Russian) play appeals to you deeply? Give your reasons.

14.Who is your favourite actor (actress)?

15.What is the price of admission?

16.Which plays that are on now in your city are a success?

17.Are you fond of ballet? Which ballet do you like best of all?

18.Can you name the most popular theatrical companies in Kyiv, Kharkiv (Ukraine), Moscow (Russia)?

Exercise 2. Find in the text equivalents to the following words and phrases.

Виконавчі різновиди мистецтва, ляльковий театр, мати великий успіх, неймовірно зворушливий, викликати на біс, театральні декорації, купити квитки, захоплюючий, інсценування, склад виконавців, прем’єра, мати велике виховне значення, освітлювати, тримати глядачів у напрузі від початку до кінця вистави, показуватися (з’являтися), що викликає по черзі то сміх, то сльози, справді чудова п’єса, заключна сцена, одержати грандiозну овацiю, натхнення, надихати, змінюватися.

Exercise 3. Fill in the missing words from the text.

1. Television, radio, cinema, video _____ the course of the major performing arts and _____ the new ones.

2. My mother bought two tickets at the box-office for the Eneiyda ______.

3. The most ____ seats are in the stalls, boxes and dress-circles.

4. And it was obvious that the play was a great ______.

5. But still there are hundreds of ______ comedy theatres, drama theatres, _______ houses, ______ theatres, philharmonics and ________.

6. The actors received a tremendous _____ from the packed ______.

7. A_____ conceives an idea and after months of hard work his idea develops into the ______ of the play.

8. Besides, it was a great ______ value.

9. While the ______ is down, the workers on the stage can change the _____ and prepare the stage for the next part of the _______.

10. I ________ everything: the wonderful scenery, marvelous _____, charming music.

11.The curtain usually separates the _______ from the ______.

12. There were _________ actors and actresses in the ______, I should admit.

13. After some time the curtain rises, the play faces the ______ on its first ______.

14. The company gave the truly remarkable play — moving, captivating, _____ laughter and tears _____.

THEATRE

TOPICAL VOCABULARY

to be popular with to do (to show) a new play to be on to be in the repertoir to be off to have a long run to command a view / to have a clear sight

the house is sold out / "House full" to be a success/ to be a failure to book seats to exchange tickets for another performance poster (Am. bill-board) play-bill, programme to contribute to

an advance box-office / booking office ticket agency seating plan cloak-room cloak-room ticket (check) foyer auditorium stage scenery wings behind the scenes (wings) to go backstage orchestra pit gangway (Am. — aisle) row / front rows / back rows stalls orchestra stalls

curtain falls (drops) /rises (goes up) lights go down / go up emergency exit ladies / gents footlights sets dressing-room prompt-box setting   Mind the use of prepositions on the front (back) row in the fifth row in the boxes

Theatre Building

centre stalls rear stalls pit dress circle box balcony tier gallery, the “gods”

on/in the balcony in the pit in the (orchestra) stalls in the dress circle inthe gallery in the "gods" in the wings

Types of Theatres

musical comedy theatre opera and ballet house drama theatre (playhouse) named after… philharmonic society conservatoire art theatre amateur theatre theatre for young spectators

variety theatre travelling company touring company on tour company comedy theatre puppet theatre

Performance

matinee (performance) evening performance show variety show ballet opera satirical play dramatic play comedy musical comedy tragedy drama concert

dress-rehearsal opening performance (opening night: first night) gala gala presentation (gala night) first night audience theatre-goers new season a play (an opera) begins its run on June 10 interval

Who is Who in the Theatre

players cast actor, actress performer producer director conductor playwright prompter usher, usherette spectator / audience scene-painter musician composer soloist bass tenor orchestra company troupe singer amateur actor

dancer prima ballerina assoluta the leading role /the lead / actor playing the leading role / the starring actor to be in the title role characters minor characters hero, heroine stunt man ham villain stand-in understudy to be in the cast to act the part (role) of curtain call to take (receive) a curtain call / to take one's call / to take the curtain to receive an acclamation to applaud / to clap to burst into applaud

Additional Words and Expressions

to be at one's best / to be at one's worst

to go on the stage

to tune up

to be about to begin

exchanging impressions about the performance

to discuss the merits and demerits of the play

to be absolutely thrilled with

to be deeply (visibly) moved

to impress

the opening (concluding) scene is wonderful

the performance has aroused much admiration

the final moment of the play was extremely thrilling (dramatic, tragic, unforgettable, moving)

the leading actor was a great interpretative artist

the company gave a play full of great educational value

to arouse a feeling of spiritual enrichment

the performance is a great success

the play bored me

the actors' playing was artificial and colourless

the play was a failure

poor acting

The Performance

What's playing at this theatre tonight?

What performance do you recommend?

Is there any chance of getting tickets?

Do you have an extra ticket?

Will it be difficult to get tickets for the first night?

Do you have any seats (tickets) for Sunday evening?

I'd like to reserve two tickets for Saturday performance.

What tickets are the cheapest?

When does the performance begin?

Where are our seats?

Our seats are in the orchestra stalls (in the stalls, in the pit, in the box, in the dress- circle, on the balcony).

I'd like to leave my things at the cloak-room.

May I take my check?

Could you give me opera-glasses?

During the interval we can go into foyer (refreshment).

Please, show our seats.

Who is the stage producer?

What's on the programme?

Where can I see the theatre repertoire?

I enjoyed it very much.

The play is boring.

Who is on tour here?

What companies are dancing?

I prefer comedy to opera.

The concerts of this ensemble are very successful.

EXERCISES

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions:

1. What do you usually do on Saturday and Sunday evenings?

2. Do you spend all the evenings at home?

3. Do you often go out?

4. Do you often go to the theatre?

5. What theatre do you prefer?

6. Are the tickets expensive there?

7. What seats do you like best?

8. Is it always possible to get good tickets?

9. Where do you usually buy tickets?

10. Can you book the tickets in advance?

11.Do you always secure the tickets in advance?

12. What row do you like to sit in?

13. Do you prefer an evening performance or a matinee?

14. Who do you usually go to the theatre with?

15. What are you doing this evening?

16. May I invite you to the theatre?

17. Will you go to the theatre with me?

18. Do you happen to know what's on tonight?

19. We shall go to the Art Theatre tonight; you will join us, won't you?

20. Is there any chance of getting a ticket?

21. What's on there?

22. Who's the author of the play?

23. Is it a tragedy or a comedy?

24. Is the play long? How many acts has it got?

25. Can you get me a programme?

26. Do you want to have a look at the programme?

27. Can you tell me who is who?

28. Is this play a success?

30. Is it the first time you've been to this show?

40. What modern playwright do you like best?

Exercise 2. Translate into English:

1. Вчора мій друг запросив мене піти з ним до театру. 2. Він купив два квитки до Художнього театру на п’єсу Б.Шоу «Пігмаліон». 3. Б.Шоу – великий письменник, і це чудова п’єса. 4. артисти грали дуже добре. 5. Ми купили програму, щоб знати, хто грає. 6. так як наші квитки були у восьмому ряді партера, ми всі сиділи й чули дуже добре. 7. Я взяла бінокль, але не користувалась ним. 8. В антрактах ми гуляли в фойе, и дивились фотографії провідних артистів цього театру. 9. Вистава почалась о 6.30 й закінчилась о 10.15. 10. я прийшла додому трішечки стомлена, але дуже задоволена.

Exercise 3. Translate the dialogues.

DIALOGUES 1

(Going to the theatre)

JOHN: What are you doing this evening Ann?

ANN: Oh! Nothing special. Are you thinking of treating me to something nice, John?

J: Well? You see, I am free this evening, and I thought we might go to some show today.

A: Oh, that would be lovely!

J: Where would you like to go, to a theatre or to a concert?

A: Well, let me see… oh, but here’s an evening review paper, let us see what is on.

J: What do you say to a musical comedy? – they are giving “Mary Widow” tonight.

A: And what is on at the Bolshoi Theatre?

J: The opera “Carmen” by Bizet.

A: If you don’t mind, I should like to hear “Carmen” at the Bolshoi, and you?

J: That’s settled then; “Carmen” it will be. And now we have to be quick.

A: I’ll just change into my evening dress. That won’t take me more than 15 minutes at the most.

J: Well, that’s all right then. Meanwhile I’ll phone and book the seats.

A: Yes, do, better secure them in advance, there’s a great run on the piece, a famous Bulgarian actor will sing the Toreador.

J: All right, I’ll do it at once. But you must really hurry; don’t forget all performances begin at half past six now.

A: Well, I’ll be ready in no time.

(At the theatre)

J: Well, here we are, my dear. Let’s go to the cloakroom and leave our coats there.

A (leaving the cloakroom): Well, and now for the show.

J: Let’s walk up the grand staircase. We are certainly lucky, only two seats were left and we’ve got them.

A: Don’t lose the tickets. We’ll have to show them to the usher (attendant).

J: I’m sorry we didn’t take opera-glasses from the cloak-room attendant.

A: I’ve brought mine from home, but I don’t think we’ll need them as you say we have good seats. By the way, where are our seats?

J: They are in row 6 in the stalls.

A: Oh, that’s really fine! There goes the second bell! We’d better go in and find our seats.

J: Oh, don’t worry, the attendant will show us our seats. Just a minute. There is an usherette standing in the aisle showing people to their seats. Let me get a programme from her.

A: Very well. Go ahead!

J: Here is the programme. Now, this way, please. Haven’t I got really fine seats?

A: Oh, yes, here we shall see everybody and here everything perfectly well. Now give me the programme, please.

J: Here you are.

A: Let’s see who’s who. Oh, quite a strong cast!

J: The lights are going down. Here comes the conductor and we shall here a fine overture.

A: Bravo, that was really fine. Just listen to the applause.

J: Look, the house is simply packed. Ah, the curtain’s going up. Let me have your opera-glasses for a minute. The scenery is so beautiful! Who’s the stage manager?

A: The stage manager is R., I believe. Be quiet, now let’s listen.

J: All right, I’m all attention.

(During the Interval)

J: Don’t you think it would be nice to have a stroll in the foyer? Besides, I want to have a smoke.

A: Very well, let’s go. I want to see the pictures of the theatrical company and scenes form different operas and ballets.

J: And the dresses as well, I suppose.

A: Well, perhaps the dresses too. Have you anything against it?

J: Oh, no, not at all. What do you think of the performance, isn’t it really splendid?

A: Oh, just wonderful/ they sing so well. I enjoyed it immensely. The music simply carries one away. No wonder the piece is just a success.

J: I know that D. is your favourite singer; she is the best Carmen we have. And who is the conductor tonight?

A: She certainly is. The conductor is P.

J: There is the bell, we must hurry back. Oh, I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten to ask you whether you’d like some refreshments.

A: Oh, no, thanks, I'm so charmed by the music that I can't think of eating anything now.

J: Yes, the performance is first rate. Well, we shall be able to go to the refreshment-room after the second act, perhaps you'd like to have something then.

A: All right. We'll see.

DIALOGUES 2

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