2. What do you think was the message of this opera? Do you believe it could help to remember about the victims of the terrorist act in September, 2001.

Reading

The Theatre    

People live a very busy life nowadays, so they have little time to spare. Still they try their best to make use of those rare hours of leisure. Some people find it a pleasure to go to the theatre. The theatre is one of the most ancient kinds of arts. For centuries people have come to the theatre for different aims: to relax, to be amused and entertained, to have a good laugh, to enjoy the acting of their favourite actors and actresses.

Some people like drama, others are fond of musical comedy. The subtlest theatre-lovers prefer ballet and opera. In our country, there are a lot of theatres: big and small, new and old, famous and not very well known. The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow is among the most famous theatres in the world. Wonderful operas and ballets are staged in this theatre. The names of Ulanova, Plisetskaya, Maximova, Vasiliev, Arkhipova, Sotkilava and others are known worldwide.

The other most popular Moscow theatres are the Maly Theatre, the Satire Theatre, the Vachtangov Theatre, the Variety Theatre and others. Young spectators attend the Children's Musical Theatre and the Puppet Theatre more willingly. All these and lots of other theatres present a great variety of shows. That makes a spectator feel somewhat at a loss what theatre to choose. In this case it may turn out useful to consult a billboard and find out what and where is on. Sometimes you may face a difficulty of another kind: that is of getting tickets. If you don't feel like standing in a queue for tickets at the box-office, you may book them beforehand.

Ticket prices vary according to the seats. The better seats at the theatre are in the stalls and in the dress circle. They are rather expensive seats. Boxes, of course, are the best seats and the most expensive, too. Those people, who are short of money, take seats in the gallery, in the balcony or in the upper balcony. Tickets for afternoon performances are cheaper than those for evening performances.

1. Answer the following questions:

- Are you a frequent theatregoer? - I can't say I am. But still I try not to miss an opportunity to see the plays that are spoken of and are worth seeing. - When did you visit the theatre first? - It was some years ago. My mother took me to a morning performance of the ballet "The Sleeping Beauty". - What were your impressions? - It was great! The acting, the costumes, the music of the ballet were superb! The performance was a great success with the public.

- Have you ever been to the Bolshoi Theatre? - Unfortunately, I haven't. But my mother happened to be there. She listened to the opera "The Queen of Spades" there. I can't tell you what a treat it was for her.

Speaking

TASK 1

Work with your partner. Cover the second part.

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B) What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘theatre’? Do you use the British spelling ‘theatre’ or the American spelling ‘theater’? Does it matter which one you use? How often do you go to the theatre? Is the theatre only for rich people? What do you like and dislike about the theatre? What’s the best thing you’ve ever seen at the theatre? Would you like to work as a theatre critic? Are theatre tickets easy to get in your country? How do you feel when you sit in a theatre before the performance begins? What’s the nicest theatre you’ve ever been to?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A) Why is the theatre important? What kind of theatre history does your country have? Do you prefer watching a play at the theatre or a movie at the movie theatre (cinema)? Do you think theatre tickets are reasonably priced? Have you ever been to the theatre in another country? Do you think people will always be interested in the theatre? What questions would you like to ask a theatre actor? Would you like to perform or act on stage at the theatre? Would you like to see a theatre play in English? What’s are the differences between movies and plays?

Speaking task 2

Roleplay: Pretend that you are going to organize a performance in a form of a play , an opera or a musical devoted to one of the famous historical events of your country. Choose the event which deserves the special attention. Discuss the possible plot of the performance. Offer some famous people for a cast. Count the possible price of the tickets and where it could be played. Choose the leader of your group who will present the information to the jury.