HOW TO BOOK YOUR SEATS FOR LONDON’S THEATRES
IF YOU ARE NOT A REGULAR THEATREGOER OR ARE COMING TO THE WEST END TEATRE FOR THE FIRST TIME , THEN WE HAVE SOME ADVICE THAT WILL MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR YOU.
TRY TO BOOK YOUR SEAT IN ADVANCE.
It’s easy to find out what is on and where-all the theatres advertise widely in both local and national press, and numerous weekly magazines which always carry theatre information.
Booking in advance will guarantee obtaining seats for the show and performance of your choice at the price you want to pay, thus avoiding disappointment.
FIVE WAYS TO BOOK YOUR SEAT
· Go directly to the Theatre Box Office- generally they are open from 10 a.m. until the beginning of the evening performance.
· Telephone the Box Office- the number can be found in the classified or entertainment guides in the press or on the back page of special leaflet.
· Write to the Box Office- enclosing a cheque or postal order and a stamped, addressed envelope giving alternative performance dates if possible.
· Use your credit card – you can tepephone the theatre direct quoting your card number, and immediately reserve your seats. You will need to produce your card for identification purpose when collecting your tickets at the theatre.
· Ticket agencies selling West End theatre tickets can be found throughout London and other large cities, some having branches in the largest hotels. These agencies will give you choice of most shows, but charge an additional booking fee on top of the nomal seat prices.
The Half Price Ticket Booth-
Theatre tickets for many West End shows may be bought for half price plus 50 p booking fee from the Leicester Square Ticket Booth. The Booth is open from Monday to Saturday for matirnee performance tickets from 12 noon, and for evening performances from 2.30pm to 6.30pm.
Student Standby Seats
Unsold seats at many theatres are available cut price to students on production of a student card at the theatre Box Office just before the perrformance. Theatres operating this scheme are usually identified by the symbol S in the classified listings.
The London Theatre Guide
The London Theatre Guide is a fortnightly publication, containing information about theatres productions within the West End. Subscription enquiries should be addressed to the Society of West End Theatre, situated in London.
Ex. 3 Work in pairs. Make up a dialogue at the ticket agency booking some seats for the performance.
Ex.4 a)Read an extract from the letter of an English girl in which she writes about one of her visits to the theatre.
This evening I went to Stratford with my best friend Sue. We went to see a play called „Love Without Measures”. The advertisement made it sound quite interesting so we thought we would go along.
It was quite different to what we had been expecting, but nevertheless it was very good. The group performing were called the Kaleidoscope Theatre Company. The majority of the cast had somesort of handicap. Many of the actors had Downs Syndrome. Because of this, the play was mainly miming with music that created the atmosphere. It was a marvel to see and the message came across loud and clear! The play provided a glimpse into a mystical and magical world as the tale of the greatest quest of the Holy Grail is unveiled. It was a moving and powerful fantasy tale which consisted of legent and history. The actors were a range of ages from 18 years upwards.
b) What are the girl’s impressions?
Ex.4 Write a simular letter describing your impressions of a theatrical performance you have recently attended in one of Gomel theatres. Make sure that you describe not only what play you saw, but also how thought and felt about it.
Ex.5 Act out a dialoge. You want to find out where in your city your friend could advise you to go to see the most interesting theatrical events.
Ex.6 Study these posters advertising theatrical productions.
Poster 1
CATS
New London Theatre, Drury Lane
Andrew Lioyd Webber’s Cats, the longest running musical in the history of British theatre, has played and continues to play to packed house. Based on Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the upbeat score and memorable lyric combine with exhilarating, energetic dance routines to create an evening of true wonder. The gigantic set, piled high with oversize objects,conjures up a fantasy alley-catworld peopled by such feline delights as Macavity the Mystery Cat.
Poster II
OTELLO
Royal Opera House
Placido Domingo singing, Otello is one of the undisputed highlights of opera today. He returns to Covent Garden as the fatally jealous Moor for only four performances. These performances will be conducted by Carlos Kleiber, one of the most exciting Verdi conductors of our time, who makes an eagerly- awaited return to the Royal Opera House.
Poster III
LES MISERABLE
Les Miserables has indisputably become the world’s most popular musical, having been seen by over 24 million people worldwide. From its celebrated opening in London in October 1985, this stunning adaptation of Victor Hugo’s epic masterpiece, immediately captured the imagination and enthusiasm of the theatre-going public.Les Miserables has already been performed in 16 countries, 107 cities and sung in 12 different languages. Having won awards all over the world, including an unprecedented eight Broadway Tony Awards, Les Miserables has earned itself an unigue place in musical history.
Poster IV
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Barbican Theatre
One of the finest of Shakespeare’s romantic comedies, the play celebrates the power of the imagination, of love and of poetry. The magic world of an Athenian wood plays host to the quarrelling king and queen of the fairies, to two paires of confused lovers, and a group of artisans rehearsing a play. On a night of misrule and enchantment, a dream world seems reality, and on walking the real world seems but a dream.
Ex.8 There are different types of theatre: drama, musical comedy, opera, variety theatre, puppet theatre and some others. Speak about their repertoire.Do you think each type of theatre has its own audience?
Ex.9 Some plays can have a successful run for many years; some do not stay in the theatre’s repertoire for a long time; and some are even failures. Name 5 factors which you think are crucial in determing the success or failure of a theatrical performance.
Ex.10 Think of any play ( TV play ) by a British author you have read or seen.
· What kind of play was it ? Did it treat a serious subject or was it light and entertaining?
· Was the production simple or complicated?
· What were your impressions, favourable or unfavourable?
Ex.11Work in pairs. Let your listeners ask you questions for more information relating to the play you saw, the cast, the way the actors played and the scenery.
Ex. 12 a) Give a favourable and unfavourable opinion about two different performances. Explain why you really appreciated one of them, or simply enjoyed it, and why the other caused your irritation, or disappointment, or made you feel like walking out.
b) Name some plays which have had a successful run in recent years. Try and explain the reasons for their popularity.
Ex.13 Comment on the following words: Good theatre always nourishes the human spirit.
UNIT VII
Ex.1 Read some information about Minsk theatres.
MINSK THEATRES
Minsk is the largest cultural centre in Belarus. It’s famous for its theatres, picture galleries and the circus. There are not very many theatres in Minsk, only six at the present time with professional companies representing all kinds of theatrical art and being popular with theatre-goers.Good conditions have been created in the republic for training talented actors for the national theatre.
The Institute of Theatre and Art trains actors, scene-designers andspecialists in theatrescience. Sigers and musicians are trained at the Conservatory. The Collage of Choreography trains ballet dancers.
The National Academic Yanka Kupala Theatre is the oldest theatre in Belarus. The history of Belarussian art goes back to the 11th century. At that time the first actors appeared on the territory of Belarus. Their art was based on folklore, folk poetry, round dances, popular games and plays. The first actors were musicians, singers, jugglers, bear tamers, magicians and fools. Time passed but the theatre of streets and squares didn’t die. Later self theatres appeared in Mogilyov, Vitebsk, Grodno, Shklov, Slutsk and other towns. In Shklov, for example, count Zorych had a regular drama company, a ballet and an orchestra. They were sure good professionals that in 1800 the St. Petersburg Theatre asked for 14 best dancers of its company, and they were sent there.
In 1840s Dounin-Martsinkevich organized a theatre in his manor near Minsk, and later Ignat Buynitskiy organized „The First Belorussian Company”. He is in fact the father of Belorussian professional theatre. After his company had played in Belarus, Russia, Poland, the Belorussian theatre became well-known in Europe. Everybody saw that Belorussians were very talented actors.
The Yanka Kupala drama Theatre was started in1920. Its first performances included the plays dedicated to the history of the nation and inspired by Belorussian folklore. Now the repertoire is largely made up of plays by Belorussian playwrights such as Kupala, Kolas, Makayonak, Melezh, Shamyakin. The Yanka Kupala Theatre is rightly considered to be the laboratory of national drama.The theatre group tries to keep up with the time, responding to all important events in the life of the people. Many visitors coming to Minsk go to this theatre to watch Paulinka, a bright and witty play by Yanka Kupala. In fact, Paulinka, is a kind of a visiting card of the theatre .The theatre has got brilliant actors, and its main task is to develop Belorussian national culture and traditions. Each performance at this theatre is a great success with the public.
The National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre was founded in1930 on the basis of the Belarusian opera and ballet school and gave its first performance in 1933. During the Great Patriotic war it was damaged and renewed again in 1949. Today the theatre hall can seat 1200 people. During more than 60 years of its work the theatre has produced many best operas by Russian and foreign composers that are known all over the world. The theatre also stages operas and ballets by Belorussian composers.Many of them are based on nationalthemes or famous literary works.These are Kastus Kalinovskiy by D. Lukas, Wild Hunting of King Stakh byV.Sotlan and others. They are popular with music lovers in our republic and other countries.
The National Academic Drama Theatre named after Gorky in 1920 was a small travelling troupe under the leadership of a wonderful actor Vladimir Kumelsky. Only at the end of the decade, in 1928 the theatre settled down in Mogilyov and got a name- Regional Drama Theatre... The modern period of the theatre is characterized by the constant enrichment of the repertoire by the classical masterpieces.
The Minsk State Musical Comedy Theatre is one of the youngest in our capital, it opened in 1971.But in a very short time it has become popular with the public. The performances of the theatre vary in themes and style. But whatever they stage they remain true to their main principles of the genre: vitality and optimism.
In the Young Spectator’s Theatre the curtain was raised in 1956. The repertory of the theatre is designed to meet the interests of spectators aged from young children to students. In addition, a number of evening performances may be attended by adult audience. But particular attention is paid to the production of modern plays for children and young people.
The history of the State Puppet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus began in Gomel, where in 1938 Republic Puppet Theatre was founded. While forming its repertoire, preference was given to Russian classical plays. The State Puppet Theatre was opened in 1950. Its task is entertaining and education of the youngest spectators. The theatre stages short plays which are full of gaiety and unbelievable adventures. The repertory is rich and varied. It includes fairy tales and play by Belorussian, Russian and foreign authors. A number of performances for adults are also staged.
Ex.5 Describe one of the Minsk theatres.
UNIT VIII LISTENING
“Why people don’t go to the theatre in England today…”
David Lavender is Artistic Director of the Brighton Actors` Theatre. Here he is considering the question of why very few people go to the theatre in Britain.
Pre-listening task
I. Before listening to his interview, answer the questions:
- What sort of people go to the theatre in your country?
- Do you ever go to the theatre? Why? (Why not?)
- How can experiences at school affect people’s attitude to the theatre?
II. Think about other alternatives to the theatre.
III. The following words and phrases are used in the interview. Check the meaning and the pronunciation in your dictionary and make up sentences with them.
A minority part, class-conscious, rivalry, an acutely painful experience, to put smb. off smth.,
a drag, a grind, invariably, intimately, a wedge, to alienate, a convert.
Listening
Listen to the interview and answer the following questions:
- Which media does the speaker say are in competition with the theatre?
- Which classes of people go to the theatre in Britain?
- How have audiences changed since Shakespeare’s time?
- Why can people easily be put off theatre-going?
- How does the education system affect people’s attitude towards Shakespeare?
- How is this relevant to people’s attitude to theatre in general?
- What can turn people into lifelong theatre-goers?
- When did theatre begin to change in Britain? How?
Work in pairs and find out:
- Why does the speaker work in the theatre?
- What is your own experience of studying or seeing plays in English? “A bore” or “a positive experience”?
UNIT VIII . TEST YOURSELF
Ex.1 Questions on the topic:
1. What did the first English playhouse look like? How many people could see the
performances at a time ? How were performances arranged?
2. In what does the genius of William Shakespeare lie? What special merits for every
generation does Shakespeare possess?
3. Shakespeare was a great Imaginer and a great Entertainer. How is it revealed in his plays?
4. Some quotations from Shakespeare have become universally known. Which of them do
you like?
5. “Hamlet” and “Romeo and Juliet” are undoubtedly the most popular plays of Shakespeare.
What makes them really immortal?
6. What are the most popular British theatres? What are they remarkable for and what kinds
of plays do they stage?
7. What performing arts do you enjoy most? Why? How often do you see any of them?
8. What kind of entertainment events do you know? Do you enjoy any of these: concerts,
theatre, sports events, ice-shows, cinema.?
9. What is the funniest entertainment event you have ever seen?
10. Have you ever seen a play in English? Why is it difficult to understand plays in a foreign
language?
11. Who is your favourite comedian?
12. Some of our theatrical companies are well-know the world over. Can you name any?
13. Who is your favourite actor? What makes you admire him?
14. Have you ever attended a puppet show? What kind of performances at the puppet theatres
do you know? Are there any puppet shows for grow-ups?
15. Are you a regular theatre –goer? What play have you recently seen? Who was in the cast?
Is the play still on or is it off yet?
16. Where can one buy theatre programs? What do you learn from them?
17. Do you book seats at the box-office or by phone? What part of the house do you prefer?
What kinds of seats are there at the theatre? Which seats are the cheapest ans which are the
most expensive ones?
Ex.2 Translate into English:
1. Самые лучшие места в театре находятся в партере, бельэтаже и в первом ряду.
2. Как только мы увидели этого знаменитого актера, мы начали аплодировать ему.
3. Декорации были замечательные. Действие происходило в Лондоне.
4. Больше всего меня растрогала последняя сцена балета.
5. Наши места были на балконе. Увидев друзей на галерке, мы решили присоединиться
к ним.
6. Без сомнения, это самый кассовый фильм за последнее десятилетие.
7. В концертном зале места расположены таким же образом, как и в театре.
8. Наша программка затерялась. Не могли бы вы подсказать кто драматург этой пьесы?
9. Я – домосед и предпочитаю посидеть дома, устроившись поудобнее в кресле,
почитать книгу или посмотреть телевизор.
10. Постановщика пьесы много раз вызывали на сцену.
11. Детское представление прошло очень успешно.
12. Вы постоянный член труппы?
13. Я слышал, как оркестр настраивал инструменты.
14. Вскоре свет погас, оркестр заиграл увертюру и занавес поднялся.
15. Нас попросили поторопиться, потому что спектакль должен был вот-вот начаться.
16. Мы очень хотели попасть на представление в театр, но на кассе висело объявление,
что все билеты проданы.
17. У входа стояли два билетера, один из которых разрывал билеты пополам и отдавал
вторую половинку вам, а второй продавал программки.
18. Пьеса запомнилась актуальной сегодняшнему дню сатирой.
19. Сценарий этой пьесы очень прост, но он ужасно захватывает.
20. Этой актрисе недоставало чувственности в ее игре, поэтому ей не удалось воплотить образ Карениной.