16. Read these small dialogues. Make your explanations of getting about the town from one place to another one.

* * *

- Excuse me, Madam, I want to go to the University. Am I on the right bus?

- I’m going right up that way myself. You just watch me and get off one stop after I do.

* * *

- Excuse me. Could you tell me the way to the station?

- Turn round and turn left at the traffic lights.

- Will it take me long to get there?

- No, it’s no distance at all.

-Thank you.

- That’s OK.

* * *

- Excuse me, can you tell where Cherry Street is, please?

- Take the second on the left and then ask again.

- Is it far?

- No, it’s only about five minutes’ walk.

- Many thanks.

- Not at all.

* * *

- Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the nearest supermarket?

- I happen to be going in that direction myself, so I could show you the way.

- Don’t go to all this trouble.

- Well, go along this street as far as the traffic lights, then turn right, cross the public square and you’ll see the supermarket.

- Thanks.

- It was nothing.

* * *

- Excuse me, could you tell us the way to the Ramoda Inn? You see, we are strangers here.

- Let me see… I think, you’d better take a number 12 bus. It’s quite a distance.

- And where is the stop?

- It’s on the other side of the street at the post-office, only 50 metres forward.

- How long will it take us to get there?

- Not more than 20 minutes, I suppose.

- Thanks a lot.

- That’s all right.

* * *

- Is this Willow Street?

- I’m afraid not. You should walk in the opposite direction 500 metres and then turn right. It will be Willow Street.

- I think I can miss the street. Are there any signs?

- Yes. There is a large sign with the name of the street. And to that you will see a pub at the corner. Its name is “Fox and Pheasant”.

- Thanks a lot.

- Don’t mention it.

Topic 'Theatre'

1. Read this text and say if there are any superstitions in other professions and among students. Retell the text. Break a leg & other theatre superstitions.

The average person might be somewhat superstitious with some things, but thespians are known for their superstitious nature. Probably the most well known superstition involves William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', which is often called "the Scottish play" by actors. The superstition says that any group putting on this play will suffer bad luck, ranging from minor mishaps to major catastrophes! Not just performing the play is bad luck, though – if anyone mentions Macbeth in a theatre or recites from the play, BEWARE! In addition to these most famous superstitions hundreds of other theatre superstitions and rituals exist. Some are normal, others are crazy. Take a look at this list.

• Do not wish another actor good luck – instead say, "break a leg". This comes from "bending a knee" (for taking a bow).

• It's bad luck for an actor to receive flowers before the play begins, though flowers given after the play has ended is considered good luck.

• Only fake flowers will be used on stage. Real flowers must be replaces too often because they can't get enough light, plus some actors may be allergic to them.

• It is unlucky for an actor to knit while on the side of the stage. This is because knitting needles are pointy and can rip expensive costumes, or the needle may fall on the floor and cause someone to fall onstage.

• It is unlucky to use real mirrors or real jewellery on stage. Why? Because both items can cause problems with the onstage lighting, so fake mirrors and jewellery should be used.

• Before an actor takes the stage for the first time, it is good luck for him / her to be pinched for luck. This comes from the old wives' tale that pinching is good luck.

• It is considered bad luck to speak the last line of the play anytime before opening night. This is because a production is never complete until it's performed for an audience. So the completing line of the play shouldn't be spoken before an audience sees the play.

• If an actress trips on the hem of her dress, she should pick it up and kiss the hem for good luck.

• You shouldn't whistle while you're in the theatre, especially in the dressing rooms. It is said that someone will soon be out of work if whistling occurs in the theatre.

• Actors are very superstitious about ghosts at the theatre. Most theatres are reported to have at least one ghost roaming about. Monday night is considered Ghost Night. Most theatres don't have productions on this night so the ghosts will have their own night to perform their plays.

From "Speak Out", N5, 2003.

superstitious – суеверный thespian – актер (устар. или ирон.) Macbeth– "Макбет" to put on a play – ставить пьесу (syn. to stage) to suffer bad luck – быть преследуемым неудачами minor mishap – мелкая неприятность fake – фальшивый, искусственный on the side of the stage – за кулисами

knitting needle – вязальная спица to rip – to tear to pinch – ущипнуть old wives' tale – старое поверье to trip (on) – спотыкаться (о) hem – подол to roam – бродить