Conversational practice

I. At the Box Office

1. Learn the following dialogues by heart.

1

– Have you got tickets for “Pygmalion” for Saturday?

– Sorry, sir: but the house has been sold out long in advance.

– What will you advise me to do to book the seats for this performance?

I want to see it by all means. It's so much spoken about.

– Yes, the public is crazy about it. It's strange that the production of an old play should have caused such a sensation ... Well, what I'd recommend is this: either you book standing room or a seat in the stalls for the matinee on Sunday.

– Well, if it's all you can offer me, I'd better choose matinee.

2

Visitor: Have you got any seats for Sunday?

Attendant: Matinee or evening performance?

Visitor: Evening performance, please,

Attendant: How many do you want?

Visitor: Only one.

Attendant: Let me see ...

Visitor: I'd like one stall if you've got any.

Attendant: Well, you can have...one in Row D or in the middle of Row N in the stalls.

Visitor: That's not far too back, is it?

Attendant: I've got another seat in Row C right at the side.

Visitor: I'll have the one in Row D. It'll do very well. How much did you say it was?

Attendant: Twelve and six.

Visitor: What time does the ballet start?

Attendant: At seven. The doors open at six thirty.

Visitor: Thanks, so much.

3

– I want four seats for Sunday, please.

– Matinee or evening performance?

– Evening, please.

– Well, you can have very good seats in the stalls, Row F.

– Oh, no! It's near the orchestra-pit. My wife can't stand loud music.

– Then I could find you some seats in the pit.

– I'm afraid that won't do either. My father-in-law is terribly short-sighted. He wouldn't see much from the pit, would he?

– Hm... Perhaps, you'd care to take a box?

– Certainly not! It's too expensive. I can't afford it.

– Dress-circle then?

– I don't like to sit in the dress-circle.

– I'm afraid the only thing that remains is the gallery.

– How can you suggest such a thing! My mother-in-law is a stout woman with a weak heart. We couldn’t dream of letting her walk up four flights of stairs, could we?

– I find, sir, that there isn't a single seat in the house that would suit you.

– 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!

4

Joan and Austin have just booked seats for the opera.

Joan: Where are our seats?

Austin: They are in the upper circle.

Joan: Aren't they too far back?

Austin: Yes ... But they command a good view of the stage.

Joan: Can you show me where they are on the plan?

Austin: Certainly. Here they are in the front row.

Joan: I think we can see and hear very well from there.

5

– In what part of the auditorium do you like to sit, George: in the stalls, in the pit, in the dress-circle, in the gallery or in a box?

– I generally book the seats in the pit or in the gallery.

– Aren't the seats in the orchestra better?

– Certainly, they are. But being a regular theatre-goer, I can't afford them very often. Can you?