Text 16 The Theatre in Great Britain

Britain has a long tradition of drama. British theatre began in the thirteenth century, before the time of Shakespeare, with a series of short stories from the Bible called The Mystery Plays. Even today, every four years in York and Chester, ordinary people still perform these plays.

The most famous British theatres are the National Theatre and the Barbican. The Royal Shakespeare Company performs at the Barbican in London and in Stratford-on-Avon, where Shakespeare was born. These theatres receive money from the government so that they can perform several different plays a year. In spite of this money from the government, many theatres, including the National Theatre and the Barbican, find it difficult to survive.

There are many smaller theatre groups in Britain. Some of them receive money from the government to perform plays which are contemporary and experimental.

Going to the theatre in Britain is not only popular, but also expensive. Not many young people can afford to go. It is possible to get cheaper tickets by going to afternoon performances called matinees.

Answer these questions:

1. When did Britain theatre begin? 2. What are the most famous British theatres? 3. Where was Shakespeare born? 4. Are there any smaller theatre groups in Britain? 5. Is going to the theatre expensive in Britain?

Text 17 Sports in Great Britain

British people are very fond of sports. Sport is part of their normal life. The two most popular games are football and cricket.

Football is the most popular sport in the United Kingdom. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own Football Leagues (FL) and national teams. Matches are played on Saturday afternoon from August to April. In addition to the FL games there is a competition called the Football Association Cup. The Cup Final is played at Wembley Stadium, London, in May.

Cricket is considered to be the English National game. Its rules are very complicated. It is played by two teams of eleven men each, the player at a time tries to hit the ball with a bat. Golf is the Scottish national game. It originated in the XV century and the most famous golf course in the world, known as the Royal and Ancient Club.

Lawn tennis was first played in Britain in the late 19th century. The most famous British championship is Wimbledon, played annually during the last week of June and the first week of July.

Those are the most popular kinds of sport in the UK. But there are many other sports such as rugby, swimming, golf, horse-racing and the traditional fox-hunting.

Answer these questions:

1. Are British people fond of sports? 2. What is the most popular game in the United Kingdom? 3. Do all the parts of the UK have their Football Leagues and teams? 4. When and where is the Cup Final played? 5. What is considered to be the English National game? 6. What is the name of the Scottish national game? When did it originate? 7. What are the other sports popular in the UK?