The Arts. Speaking and grammar skills.

Brainstorm the idea what are things which generally come under the heading of the arts? Write down words associated with term the atrs.

Look at the chart. Compare it with one beneath. Do you agree with the classification?

The arts (plural) covers everything in the network. Art (singular, uncountable) usually means fine art, but can also refer to technique and creativity.

Examples:

William Wordsworth was skilled in the art of poetry.

Julia is a great art lover.

Have you read the arts page in the Independent today?

When we refer to a performing art in general, we can leave out the article.

Are you interested in (the) cinema/ballet/opera/theatre?

Would you like to come to the cinema/ ballet/ opera?

Dance usually refers to modern artistic dance forms; ballet usually has a more traditional feel, unless we say modern ballet. Remember, a novel is a long story, e.g. 300-400 pages, a short prose fiction, e.g. 10 pages, is a short story.

How to describe a performance.

Many interesting plays are on at our local theatre. Last week we went to see a new production of Romeo and Juliet . The sets were incredibly realistic and the costumes were wonderful. It was a good cast and I thought the direction was excellent. Ivanov gave a marvelous performance . It got rave reviews in the papers today.

The sets – scenery, buildings, furniture on the stage.

Costumes – clothes the actors wear on the stage.

Cast – all actors in the performance.

Direction – the way the director had organized the performance.

Rave reviews – very enthusiastic comments.

Exercise1. Name all parts of a typical theatre. Using new words tell about your experience of a play.

Exercise 1. Which branch of art do you think these people are talking about?

1. It’s called Harmony. It stands in the main square.

2. The duet opened the second act and was followed by trio.

3. Animation doesn’t have to be just Disney, you know.

4. I like the combination of classical choreography, music and costumes.

5. It doesn’t have to rhyme to be good.

6. Oils to me don’t have the delicacy of water-colours.

7. Her design for the new shopping centre won an award.

8. I read them and imagine what they’d be lake on stage.

9. The first chapter was boring but it got better in the end.

10. I was falling asleep by the second act.

11.It was just pure movement, with very exciting rhythms.

Exercise 2. Fill the gap with an article if necessary.

1. On arriving in St. Petersburg I ‘d like to visit ______exhibition no matter which.

2. They enjoyed _____ exhibition which was on at the cinema last week.

3. Julia didn’t use to be good at ______ art at school. She is very skillful at _______ pottery now.

4. She’s got a diploma in______ dance from the Peforming Arts Academy.

5. I’ve got tickets for ____ ballet. Do you fancy going?

6. He adopted _____ art of writing poetry from early age.

7. I can’t stand _______ modern painting: it’s so pretentious.

8. The government doesn’t give enough money to ______ arts.

9. _____ short story shouldn’t be more than twenty pages.

10. My brother is interested in ____ fine art.

11. Many _______ art lovers gathered at the conference.