Self-study unit 12 Part I. Theatre Going

Assignment 1. Read the following tips on dos and don’ts of going to the theatre and guess the words that fit the meaning of the sentence (NB. Each star (*) stands for a letter in the word).

Dos and Don’ts of Going to the Theatre

Going to the 1) t * * * * * * can be a wonderful experience for seasoned patrons of the arts as well as first-timers. Remember that you are part of a large body of individuals: the 2) a * * * * * * *. Knowing how to conduct yourself properly will result in a more enjoyable experience not only for you but for everyone around you.

Do:

• Arrive early enough to be able to be seated before the 3) c * * * * * * goes up. (If you are late, most theatres will not seat you until an appropriate break in the performance occurs.)

• Read the program beforehand to acquaint yourself with the 4) a * * * * *, the 5) p * * * and other interesting information about the 6) c * * * and the 7) p * * * * * * * * * *. It will make your theatre experience that much more enjoyable.

• Turn off cell phones or anything else that will distract not only the 8) p * * * * * * * * * but the rest of the audience as well. Nothing is more unpleasant than the constant ringing and beeping of all these wireless devices during a live 9) p * * * * * * * * * *. If you are a doctor on call or have small children at home with a babysitter, set your cell phone to vibrate in case of an emergency.

• 10) B * * * tickets early if you have a specific area in the theatre in which you wish to sit. Some shows sell out incredibly quickly. If you aren't too particular about where you sit, then rush seats or standing room only seats are often quite a bit cheaper than regular tickets.

• Dress appropriately. Jeans are not really suitable although more and more people are dressing "down" to go to the theatre. 11) L * * * performances are a special event for most of us. Get festive by dressing for the occasion. It's your chance to haul out something fancy that you don't get to wear that often.

Don't:

• Talk during the performance. Not only is it annoying to those around you, but it can distract the 12) p * * * * * * * * * as well.

• Sing along with the show. As much as you may think you have a great voice, people paid to see and hear the performers on 13) s * * * * – not you.

• Get up in the middle of someone's solo. If you must get up before an 14) a * * is over, try to plan it during an appropriate break in the action (like a 15) s * * * * change) so as to make as little a disruption as possible.

• Bring food to the 16) t * * * * * *. Intermission is the time to get a snack or a drink and these items must be consumed in the appropriate areas.

• Always take in consideration how your conduct may affect those in the audience and those on stage. Use your own discretion and you will find that whether you're sitting in the audience or up on the stage yourself, live 17) p * * * * * * * * * * * are a wonderful way to spend your time.

Assignment 2. Match the following theatre idioms with their definitions. Try to give their equivalents in Russian.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14

Stage-fright	a good example to follow
Behind the scenes	out of the public view
To come on the scene	the fear experienced when speaking in front of an audience
To hold the stage	to accept responsibility from someone else
To play the part	to appear, to make one’s presence felt
To take over the role of	to assume a false role, to pretend to be somebody one is not
A role model	to be able to engage the audience’s attention
To get/put one’s act together	to be in the focus of attention
To clean up one’s act	to court the applause of the uneducated by showing off in front of them
To fluff one’s lines	to fail to perform well
To play to the gallery	to get oneself organized
To ring the curtain down	to make an effort to improve oneself
To be in the spotlight	to put an end to (life, marriage, career, happiness, business, plans, etc)
To stage a recovery/a come-back	to repeat one’s earlier success, after retirement or failure

Assignment 3. Fill in the gaps with the suitable idioms from Assignment 2.

1. Although John prepared his speech with great care, he always had a moment or two of _______________ when he addressed the public.

2. There is always a lot of maneuvering ____________ before a new government is formed.

3. Things haven't been the same since the new manager ___________________.

4. As young as he is, he can still ________________ with his beautiful voice.

5. Jeremy _______________ the caring nephew to perfection, but don’t let him fool you; it’s her money he is after.

6. In a government reshuffle, one minister might _________________ another.

7. A child’s ______________ is often his or her mother, father or a favourite teacher.

8. You had better _________________________ before you lose any customers.

9. If you really want this job, you will have ______________________.

10. Can you imagine speaking to a television audience of 150 million? I have ________________several times.

11. Although Borotra was one of the most brilliant tennis players, he sometimes ________________.

12. The scandal _________________________ his promising career.

13. After the writer had published her feelings about her unfaithful husband, she _____________________ for some time.

14. The majority of athletes who try ___________________ are unsuccessful.

Assignment 4. Give synonyms to the following words:

1. to go to the opera (2)

2. to give a performance (2)

3. to stage a play (3)

4. to play in “king Lear” (2)

5. auditorium (2)

6. to attract a large audience (2)

7. to applaud (1)

8. to bring down the house (1)

9. to be a success (2)

Assignment 5. Give derivatives:

1. theatre ____________________________________________________________

2. play ______________________________________________________________

3. to rehearse ________________________________________________________

4. to applaud ________________________________________________________

Assignment 6. Give all types of:

1. theatre ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. play

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. parts of the auditorium

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. reaction of the audience

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Assignment 7. Read the following text and fill in the gaps with the right prepositions.