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Файл:Практика английской речи = English Speech Practice 2-й курс
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Ex. 6 Adrian Collins was asked to direct a play for an amateur theatre group be-
cause no one else wanted to do the job. Read this account of his experience and
complete the text, using the words and phrases you have seen above. To help
you, the first letter of each word is given.
The (1) d ____________ of a group of amateur (2) a ____________s has a difficult job.
First, he has to find a (3) c______________ capable of working together. It is easy enough
to persuade people to take the (4) p ________________s of the (5) h ______________s,
(6) h _______________s and (7) v_______________s, but no one wants a minor
(8) r _______________, and finding someone willing to be (9) s __________________
(10) m ______________ is even harder. Our last (11) p ________________ had all the
signs of being a disaster. At the dress (12) r _________________, the night before the first
(13) p _______________, the leading (14) a _________________ fell down, tore her (15)
c ______________ and twisted her ankle. We had not got an (16) u ____________, so
she had to go on the (17) f ______________ (18) n ______________ with a stick.
As I watched the (19) a ____________ taking their places in the (20) s ____________ s
before the curtain went up, I feared the worst but it was worse than I had feared. In the first
(21) a ___________, the hero forgot his (22) l _________ s, couldn’t hear the
(23) p _____________, and made an (24) e ____________ into the (25) w _________s to
find out what he had to say next. The actor on (26) s _________ with him didn’t notice, and
went on with his next (27) s ____________. The heroine was wearing a long dress because of her twisted ankle. She got too close to the (28) f____________, saw smoke rising
from her feet, screamed and fainted, just as the villain, making his (29) e _____________,
came on and tripped over her.
During the (30) i ____________, my wife, who was helping out by acting as an
(31) u_____________, showing people to their seats, said: “Don’t worry! They love it. A
man in the second (32) r ____________ just said to me: “I didn’t realise this was a
(33) c _________. I haven’t laughed so much for years.
Class Communication
Ex. 7 Share your ideas with the class.
1. Have you ever thought of going on the stage?
2. Have you had any acting experience? Were you a success?
3. Describe a school performance which was a success / a flop.
4. Do you think a teacher is supposed to be an actor? If yes, justify your opinion.
Ex. 8 Read the dialogue and look at the diagram of the theatre. Gerry is telephon-
ing the box office because he wants to buy two tickets for the first performance of
a new play.
Booking Tickets
A
Gerry: Hello, New Theatre? Have you got two tickets for Othello next Wednesday?
Booking clerk: There aren’t many left, I’m afraid. It’s the first night, you see. I can give
you two in the balcony, but you won’t get a very good view. The dress
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circle and the upper circle are completely booked up. I don’t suppose
you’d like a box, just for two.
Gerry: Well, no. Is there anything in the stalls?
Booking clerk: Wait a minute. Yes, you’re lucky. I’ve got two stalls, Row K, 7 and 8.
They’ve just been returned. Will you take those? They’re ten pounds each.
Gerry: Oh er, yes, OK.
Booking clerk: You can pick them up from the box office in the foyer at any time up to
half an hour before the performance. What name is it, please?
B
Ben: I want four seats for Sunday, please.
Booking clerk: Matinee or evening performance?
Ben: Evening, please.
Booking clerk: Well, you can have very good seats in the stalls. Row F.
Ben: Oh, no! It’s near the orchestra pit. My wife can’t stand loud music.
Booking clerk: Then I could find some seats in the pit.
Ben: I’m afraid that won’t do either. My father-in-law is terribly short-sighted.
He won’t see much from the pit, would he?
Booking clerk: Hm… Perhaps, you’d care to take a box?
Ben: Certainly not! It’s too expensive. I can’t afford it.
Booking clerk: Dress-circle then?
Ben: I don’t like to sit in the dress-circle.
Booking clerk: I'm afraid the only thing that remains is the gallery.
Ben: How can you suggest such a thing! My mother-in-law has a weak heart.
We couldn’t dream of letting her walk up four flights of stairs, could we?
Booking clerk: I find, sir, that there isn’t a single seat in the house that would suit you.
Ben: There isn’t, is there? Well, I think we’d much better go to the movies. As
for me, I don’t care much for this theatre-going business. Good-day!
A. the stage
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B. the footlights
C. the orchestra
D. the stalls
E. the pit
F. the boxes
G. the dress circle
H. the balcony
I. the gallery
J. the curtain
Skill Developing
Ex. 9
Student A Student B
1. You are calling the Palace Theatre to
book two tickets for the concert next
Wednesday evening. You want two
seats in the circle. Check that the performance begins at 7.45.
2. You are calling the New Theatre about
the ballet on Friday and Saturday. Find
out the cost of tickets and if they have
any left. Book one seat on either Friday
or Saturday if you can.
3. You are calling the Grand Theatre. You
want tickets for the performance of “An-
tony and Cleopatra” on Friday. (If not
Friday, then Thursday). You want 4
seats together in the stalls. (If there are
none in the stalls, then in the circle).
1. You are in the Palace Theatre box office. There are plenty of tickets for the
concert on Wednesday, which begins at
7.45. You accept bookings by phone but
tell callers that they must come and get
their tickets tomorrow.
2. You are in the New Theatre box office.
There are plenty of tickets for the ballet
on Friday and Saturday. You have seats
in the stalls at £3.50 and in the circle at
2.50. You do not take telephone bookings.
3. You are in the Grand Theatre box office.
All tickets for the performance of “Anto-
ny and Cleopatra” are sold out on Friday, but there are a few tickets left for
Thursday. But you do not have four
seats together, either in the stalls or in
the circles.
Ex. 10 Read the Critics’ Choice and, in small groups, discuss:
3 Which play would you prefer to see?
3 Which play would be most suitable for staging by your class?
3 Which play would be most likely to be a commercial success?
Critics’ Choice
ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM
The Pit (628 8795)
Mon-Fri at 7.30 pm; matinee Thurs at 2 pm.
Terry Hands’s gripping and perceptive production of the anonymous Elisabethan murder drama, now transferred from Stratford,
reveals it as a fascinating, enigmatic classic.
Jenny Agutter and Robert O’Mahoney play
the adulterous couple whose attempts to kill
her stolid husband (Christopher Benjamin)
combine pathos with agreeably black humour.
HAPPY FAMILY
Duke of York’s (836 5122)
Mon–Thurs at 8 pm, Fri and Sat at 5. 45
pm and 8.30 pm
Giles Cooper’s clever, disturbing 1960s
comedy about three grown-up siblings
imprisoned in childhood ritual is still theatrically gripping and full of psychological and political nuance. Excellent direction by Maria Aitken of an impressive
cast led by Ian Ogilvy and Angela
Thorne.
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NOISES OFF
CHARLEY’S AUNT
Aldwych (836 6404)
Until Sept 24, Mon-Fri at 7.30 pm, Sat at 5 pm
and 8.30 pm; matinee Wed at 2.30 pm
Griff Rhys Jones makes one of the best
“aunts” ever in a joyous production with an
excellent supporting cast.
Ex. 11 Read the snatches of overheard conversations and decide which entertainments you want to see in the light of these comments.
a)
– … I’ve seen both the Osborne and the Chekhov actually.
– Mmm. Any good?
– Not really. Oh, I mean the Osborne’s quite entertaining. It’s interesting to see it revived
but I don’t really think the 50s have got much to say to us … you know… now in the 90s.
The Chekhov's just a bore really.
– Oh, they got really good reviews.
– Ok, it was well done I suppose, but as far as I’m concerned it’s just a bad play.
– Oh, come on! I mean I remember seeing it done at the Old Vic in 97…
(Look Back in Anger and Three Sisters)
Savoy (836 8888)
Mon-Fri at 7.45 pm. Sat at 5 pm and 8.30
pm; matinee Wed at 3 pm
The funniest farce for years. Michael
Frayn’s brilliantly contrived complex of
on-stage disasters and backstage drama is still keeping houses full and audiences helpless with laughter after its first
cast change. Phylida Law, Benjamin
Whitrow and the rest of Michael
Bakemore’s crack company give it the
best of both worlds – the commercial hit
and the connoisseur’s classi c.
(The Times 27 August 1999)
b)
– … Yeah, but I don’t really like musicals.
– No, neither do I normally, but Bob had already got the tickets and I only went along to
keep him company, really. And I’d never been to the Victoria Palace either.
– And?
– Well, it was quite entertaining. Oh, there were some lovely songs and the dancing was
good, too.
– Think I’d enjoy it?
– Well on the whole I think you would, yeah…
(God Only Knows)
c)
– … I didn’t think much of it really.
– Why not?
– Well, I mean, if I go to the theatre, I expect more than just a laugh. Or at least I want to
see some actors I’ve heard of. I mean, have you ever heard of Peter Graves or Helen
Christie?
314
– No, I don’t think so.
– Well then…
(No Sex, Please – We’re British)
d)
– … I was once taken to see “Swan Lake” when I was at school. Never again!
– But this is different, you know, this isn’t “Swan Lake”. The music’s really lively and the
dancing isn’t anything like you see in “Swan Lake. Well, it’s … it’s just fun.
– I’m not keen, really. I’d rather go to the pictures.
– Oh, come on. Don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud. It’s really a great show and you never
know, it might convert you to ballet. Look, I promise you you’ll enjoy it. I’ll even buy the
tickets for you.
– Well, in that case, perhaps I’ll come…
(Façade)
Ex. 12 Share impressions of a performance.
1. It was an unforgettable performance. Develop the idea.
2. “I felt like walking out”. Develop the idea.
3. Act out a conversation during the interval. Your friend likes the performance and you don’t.
REVIEW OF A PERFORMANCE
Ex. 13 A new production of Richard III received both favourable and unfavourable
reviews. The critics’ reaction made front-page news in all newspapers. Compare
the two reviews that follow.
No praise could be too high for the brilliant acting and staging of the famous play
by W. Shakespeare. Richard III was written in the 1590s, but it was a chilling relevance
to the modern world. The story of Richard’s rise and fall carries a universal message
about the politics of power, and Richard Eyre’s direction combines with Bob Crowley’s
design to drive the message home by setting the production in the 1930s.
Ian McKellen as Richard is remarkable. Hardly ever off stage, he radiates evil and
corruption throughout the play. He is supported by some brilliant performances.
Particularly effective is Clare Higgings who plays the role of Queen Elizabeth. But
the real standout for the reviewer is Joyce Redman, who plays to perfection the role of
the Duchess of York.
The costumes are highly effective, and army uniforms and black boots reflect the
rise of fascism. Anyone interested in the theatre should experience this performance.
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Richard Eyre’s Richard III opened this week to titters from the audience and the
worst reviews of the year.
Don’t trust those reviews. The spectacle is far worse than has hitherto been made
out, a milestone in the history of coarse acting.
The production was notable for the incomprehension with which lines were delivered and for the most wild moments of “interpretation.”
As to Mr McKellen’s performance, it was deranged. The final battle scene is unconvincing with soldiers in heavy suits of armour clanking across the stage. The huge
steel set is cold and uninteresting and the lighting is gloomy.
In all, Richard III is a depressing play, and this production offers little light relief
during the 31 / 2 hour performance.
Writing
Write a favourable / unfavourable review of a performance
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316
UNIT 3
F
CINEMA
Focus Vocabulary
cinema
film
movie
action / adventure film
biopic
cartoon
comedy
drama
disaster film
fantasy film
horror film
musical
science fiction film
soap opera
thriller
war film
western
Cinema is a medium of mass entertainment. It is both an art and an industry. It
has a powerful impact on our mind and soul.
Ex. 1 Which of the following statements on the cinema would you agree with? In
the space provided, write 5 against any statement you would totally agree with
and 0 against any statement you would totally disagree with. Put 4, 3; 2 or 1 to
show intermediate attitudes.
Cinema Attitudes’ questionnaire
1. Going to the cinema occupies time that would be spent in more
wholesome recreation.
2. I am tired of films – I have seen too many poor ones.
3. The cinema is the best civilizing device ever developed.
4. Films are the major cause of crime.
317
5. Films are all right but a few give the rest a bad name.
6. I like to see films once in a while, but they do disappoint you sometimes.
7. I think films are fairly interesting.
8. Films are just a harmless pastime.
9. Going to the cinema to me is just a way to kill time.
10. The influence of the cinema is decidedly for good.
11. Films are good clean entertainment.
12. Films increase one’s appreciation of beauty.
13. I’d never miss the cinema if we didn’t have it.
14. It is a sin to go to the cinema.
15. There would be very little progress without the cinema.
16. Films are the most vital form of art today.
17. A film once in a while is a good thing for everybody.
18. A film once in a while is one of the few good things I can enjoy by
myself.
19. Films are wholly bad for children.
20. I like to see other people enjoy films, whether I enjoy them myself or not.
21. Films are to blame for the increase in sexual offence.
22. The cinema is one of the great educational institutions for the common people.
23. Young people are learning to smoke and drink from films.
24. The cinema is the best cheap entertainment.
25. There’s too much violence on screen.
Now tick (
3
) the statements that YOU agree with.
Word Meaning
Ex. 2 Read the definitions below, then write the types of films in the right column.
action / adventure film
biopic
cartoon
comedy
drama
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disaster movie
fantasy film
horror film
juvenile film
love story
musical
science fiction film
thriller
war film
western
1. Film dealing with major disasters, such as earthquakes, large fires, plane crashes, etc.
2. In this film, love and romance are the key elements.
3. Film to do with some aspect of war.
4. A film about the life of a particular person.
5. In this film, excitement is generated from action sequences.
6. Film aimed at children and young people.
7. Film which sets out to make the audience laugh.
8. Film about the American wild west, usually with
cowboys, Indians and gunfights.
9. Film set in the future, and often to do with space
travel, robots, etc.
10. Film where the characters and / or situations could
not exist in real life. Often deals with magic and
mystery, fantastic voyages, etc.
11. A very dramatic film where tension and suspense is
deliberately maintained and is a central feature of
the plot.
12. In this film, the focus is on human relationships rather than action.
13. A film where the main aim is to terrify the audience.
14. Also called an animated film. Here the film is made
by photographing drawings rather than using live
actors.
15. A film where the emphasis is on music. It usually
contains lots of songs.
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Ex. 3 Read the film reviews below, then decide what type of film each one is.
Earthquake (1987)
Type_________________
An epic tale with a star-studded cast about
the destruction of Los Angeles, as the
most catastrophic earthquake of all time
rips through Southern California, affecting
the lives of all who live there. Excellent
special effects make up for the tedious and
clichéd plot.
The Aviator (2005)
Type__________________
Set between 1927 and 1947, the movie follows Howard Hughes as he merrily spends
his inherited millions to conquer Hollywood
and the skies. It is a tale worth telling and the
director (Martin Scorcese) does it with style,
authority and dash, though at excessive
length of nearly three hours. Leonardo di
Caprio scores as Hughes and Cate Blanchett
contributes a witty twist as a bossy Katharine
Hepburn.
319
Choose from the types of film above and write your answers under each title.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Type___________________
Steven Spielberg’s all-action blockbuster
with Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, who
is sent to find the legendary biblical Ark of
the Covenant before it can be stolen and
used by the Nazis in their plan for world
domination. A spectacular multi-million dollar version of the 1930s Saturday morning
serials, and it works so well because of
everybody’s enthusiasm and sense of fun.
Ice Castles (1978)
Type__________________
Tear-jerking romance about a young couple who meet on an ice rink and quickly fall
in love. Both find fame and fortune on the
ice – he as a professional hockey player,
she as an Olympic champion dancer – but
tragedy strikes when she becomes blind.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Type___________________
Judy Garland gives a dazzling performance in
this much-loved movie. She is young Dorothy
who is knocked unconscious when a tornado
rips through her Kansas farmhouse and who
wakes up in the Technicolour world of Oz (the
film starts in black and white). A perfect MGM
production with imaginative sets, photography,
costumes and make-up. The classic songs include Follow the Yellow Brick Road and the
Oscar-winning Over the Rainbow.
Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason (2005)
Type___________________
If you cosied up to 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary –
count me among its fans – this sequel will prove
almost as engaging because it’s déjà vu all again.
Zellweger, Firth and Grant all give entertaining
performances, with Grant first among equals. The
more incorrigible character he plays, the greater
his scampish charm.
War of the Worlds (2005)
Type _________________________
Like his movie’s homicidal space invaders,
Steven Spielberg shows no mercy. In the director’s humdinger adaptation of H. Well’s classic
novel, the suspense and scares start early and
keep coming with ferocious intensity. But
mostly War is a sizzling popcorn movie offering two hours of solid story and gee-whiz, special effects-driven scares, all viewed from the
comfortable safety of one’s seat in a theatre.
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Million Dollar Baby (2005)
Type ______________________
Movies don’t come better or richer in meaning
than this Oscar-nominated beauty by director Clint
Eastwood, which follows the deepening relationship between a boxer (Hilary Swank) and her
trainer (Eastwood). Morgan Freeman costars.
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