Theatre Staff

SPEECH PRACTICE

TOPIC: THEATRE

Topical Vocabulary

theatre, n: refers only to drama.

e.g. – Do you like opera and ballet?

- Not very much. I prefer the theatre.

to go/to attend/to frequent the opera/ballet/theatre/cinema

syn. playhouse

theatrical, adj.: theatrical circle/world

opera-house, puppet theatre, open-air theatre, repertory theatre (ant. non-repertory)

variety theatre (syn. music hall) – a hall or theatre used for variety of entertainments (e.g. songs, dances, acrobatic performances, juggling, etc.)

Note: music hall must not be confused with concert hall.

production, n: a version of a play. to put on a production

e.g. a new production of ‘Hamlet’. John Gielgud’s production of ‘King Lear’ provoked a lot of controversy. This theatre is known for its imaginative productions.

performance, n: a single enactment. to deliver/to put on/to give a performance

a breathtaking/inspired/superb/listless performance; a never-to-be-forgotten performance

first performance (syn. first night, opening night, premiere)

e.g. I’ve seen that production several times but I think tonight’s performance was the best

show, n: any theatrical entertainment

variety show, n: one consisting of a series of numbers, such as songs, dances and other musical items. The show has a comрere.

e.g. The show was compered by...

acting, n: the art of representing a character, esp. in a play or for a film or on television

e.g. – What do you think of his acting?

- The acting was good/brilliant/mediocre/amateurish/terrible/poor

play, n: a drama, as the plays of Shakespeare

to present/produce/put on/stage/rehearse/revive a play

e.g. Let’s go to the play (= to the theatre). He has written a new TV play. The college drama society are going to put on a play. I didn’t like the play but I was impressed by the acting. The play ran for two years on Broadway.

playwright, n: a writer of plays

play/appear/be in, v:

e.g. He has appeared in many successful productions.

- I saw ‘King Lear’ yesterday.

- Oh, yes? Who was in it?

rehearse, v: practise a play for public performance

rehearsa l, n. dress rehearsal. to put a play into rehearsal

play, n (syn. role) the main/leading part. a supporting part, a male/female part

e.g. In the play I take/play the part of a policeman. He spoke/acted his part well.

The Main Genres of the Theatre

tragedy, comedy, tragi-comedy, farce, drama, historical play/drama, melodrama, opera, musical/musical comedy, ballet, variety-show

Theatre Staff

cast, n: the actors in a play, film, etc. an all-star cast, a supporting cast

e.g. The cast is/are waiting on the stage.

actor, actress, n.

(stage) director (syn. producer), n: a person who arrange for the stage production of a dramatic work.

stage manager, n: a person in charge of a theatre stage during a performance

stage/set designer, n: a person who designs the props and scenery

costume designer, n: a person who designs clothes for the actors

a make-up artist, n: a person who puts make-up on the actors

understudy, n: an actor who is ready to play as a substitute

extra, n: an actor who has a very small part

e.g. We need a lot of extras for the big crowd scene.

prompter, n: one who prompts actors on the stage

attendant, n: (syn. usher/usherette) one who shows people to their seats

stage-hand (syn. scene-shifter), n: one who moves scenery

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14