Theatres, Music-Halls and Cinemas

Theatres are very much the same in London as anywhere else; the chief theatres, music-halls and cinemas are in the West End. If you're staying in London for a few days, you'll have no difficulty whatever in finding somewhere to spend an enjoyable evening. You'll find opera, ballet comedy, drama, revue, musical comedy and variety. Films are shown in the cinemas during the greater part of the day.

The best seats at theatres are those in the stalls, the circle, and the upper circle. Then comes the pit, and last of all the gallery where the seats are cheapest.

Boxes, of course, are the most expensive. Most theatres and music-halls have good orchestras with popular conductors.

You ought to make a point of going to the opera at least once during the season if you can. There you can get the best of everything - an excellent orchestra, famous conductors, celebrated singers and a well-dressed audience. But, of course, if you're not fond of music and singing, opera won't interest you.

At the West-end theatres you can see most of the famous English actors and actresses. As a rule, the plays are magnificently staged – costumes, dresses, scenery, everything being done on the most lavish scale. Choose a good play, and you'll enjoy yourself thoroughly from the moment the curtain goes up to the end of the last act. Get your seat beforehand, either at the box-office of the theatre itself or at one of the agencies. When you go to a theatre, you'll probably want to sit as near to the stage as possible. But if you're at a cinema, you may prefer to sit some distance from the screen. In fact, I would say, the further away the better.

b). Speak of similarities and differences (if there any) of Ukrainian and English theatres. While presenting your report use intonation patterns of the text suggested (E.L.C. 49)

c). Make up short conversations in the following situations:

1. Your friend is a great TV addict. You’re a theatre-goer. Try to persuade your friend into going to the theatre to watch some good play.

2. Imagine that there’s a good drama society at your university. You have seen some of their plays and enjoyed them a lot. Try to interview the student-actors/actresses that played the leading parts in the play. Give your friends a short summary of the received information.

8. Listen to the story “The Dead Return”.

1. Imagine witnessing the sort of festival described in the passage. Give an account of the Festival for the Dead. Imitate the speaker’s intonation.

2. Write a letter to your friend refusing an invitation to such a party. Supply a suitable introduction and conclusion.

Additional Training

1. Listen to the dialogues

1. Practise reading the dialogues, imitating the speakers’ intonation. Recollect your last visit to the cinema (theatre)

2. Make up your own dialogues. While discussing the film (play) show its merits and imperfections. Express your likes and dislikes, your preference or lack of it. Defend your own point of view. Practise the speakers’ intonation in statements, the way they express agreement and disagreement.