Topic Thirteen: Theatre

Dictation 31

Theatres in Britain

Theatres are much the same in London as anywhere else. The main and amateur theaters, musichalls and cinemas are located in the West End.

If you are staying in London for a few days, you'll have no difficulty in finding somewhere to spend a remarkable evening. You can enjoy an opera, a ballet, a comedy, a drama, a review, a musical and a variety show. The best seats at the theatres are those in the stalls, dress circle and upper circle. Then comes the pit, and last of all the gallery or the gods which are cheapest. Boxes, of course, are the most expensive. The majority of 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. As you get the best of everything – excellent scenery, 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 outstanding English actors and actresses. As a rule, the plays are magnificently staged, everything being done on the most lavish scale. Choose a good play, and you'll get a thrill from the moment the curtain rises to the end

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of the last act. Book your seat beforehand, either at the box-office of itself or at one of the agencies.

Dictation 32

The History of Entertainment

Nearly everyone enjoys entertainment. The beginning of it goes back to prehistoric times, when dance, music and story-telling were very important. Its traditions rise to ancient Greece about two and a half thousand years ago with the development of drama. In those days festivals were organized to celebrate Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and new life. Later poets began to write stories for a large group of performers (a chorus and an actor to recite). Then another actor was introduced which made a dialogue between characters possible. There were two forms of classical drama – tragedy and comedy.

The Romans continued the traditions of Greece and developed other kinds of pastime as well. The appearance of the circus is connected with gladiators fighting in public arenas.

In the Middle Ages the church considered it wrong to go to the theatre, but by and by it reappeared in the time of Renaissance with religious and moral plays. But common people preferred comedies performed by a travelling group of actors, which were called miracle plays.

The Golden Age of Theatre began in the seventeenth century. The first one was opened in London in 1652. Soon a few others including the famous Globe Theatre started functioning. Among the writers who worked for these theatres was William Shakespeare, one of the greatest playwrights. He gave his audience not only great literature but popular entertainment as well.

Dictation 33

A Visit to the Bolshoi Theatre

Last autumn my cousin invited me to the Bolshoi Theatre. I had never been there before and was extremely excited when Alec told

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me we were going to see "Swan Lake", the famous ballet by P.I.Tchaikovsky.

When we arrived at the theatre, we left our coats in the cloakroom. Our seats were in the pit stalls. I had a look at the tickets. They were not very expensive but we could see the stage very well. Alec bought me a programme and gave me his opera-glasses.

Soon the lights dimmed and the curtain was raised. The scenery was fantastic. Its red and golden interior impressed me very much.

During the interval we walked around the foyer. I told Alec how much I liked the ballet. It was really splendid. I said I would love to see another ballet some day. So we went to the box-office and bought two tickets for "The Nutcracker". Then we had ice-cream and coffee in the refreshment room.

When at last the ballet was over, there was a storm of applause. I applauded loudly as I had enjoyed it greatly.