Imagine that you are in London and you have a free evening. You’d like to go to the theatre. Study the information how to book your theatre tickets in London.

How to Book Your Theatre Tickets

· Go in person to the Theatre Box-Office – generally open from 10 a.m. until the start of the evening performance. Pay in cash, by credit card, cheque or West End Theatre Gift Tokens.

· Write to the Theatre Box Office – stating the performance you wish to see, with alternatives if possible, and enclosing a cheque, postal order or West End Theatre Gift Tokens.

· Telephone the Theatre Box Office – to make a reservation. Then either pay in person or send payment, usually within 3 days.

· Use your credit card – most theatres accept credit card bookings by telephone. You will be asked to present your credit card when you collect your tickets. You can also book by credit card at ticket agencies, who may add an additional booking fee to the cost of your ticket. Telephone numbers to call for credit card booking at Box Offices and ticket agencies are listed in different guide -books.

· Beware of ticket touts – a ticket should always have its original face value clearly displayed. If you are sold a ticket at more than its face value, and if that value is not shown or made known to you, please let the Society of West End Theatre know by calling 071-836 3193.

Develop the following statements into situations or short stories.

1) Will you go and buy tickets for me?

2) Let’s go to the pictures.

3) I’d rather go to the Drama Theatre.

4) I wonder if somebody would join us.

5) I suggest we start at 6 o’clock. The doors of the House shut at 7.

6) It’s a shame you can’t go with us tonight. What about next Sunday?

7) We are going to see a new ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre. Would you join us?

8) I wonder if anybody would like to go with me to book the tickets for the play?

Study the following passage. Be ready to speak about any performance you like.

The Green Table.

Dance of Death in eight scenes. Book by Kurt Joos. Music by Fritz Cohen. Choreography by Kurt Joos. First presented in 1932.

One of the most renowned dance works of the century, Kurt Joos’s ballet about war and death was first performed in the 1930s. Memories of World War I were still fresh and apprehensions of another war dominated many people’s thoughts. Although naturally influenced by the time of its creation, “The Green Table” has been successfully presented ever since, testifying to the power of its theme and presentation. The English critic John Percival has written: “The Green Table” must be one of the most shocking ballets ever created, in the proper sense of the world, but its impact remains the same after repeated performances”.

Subtitled “A Dance of Death”, the ballet is about diplomacy and war, the seeming uselessness of talk, the horror of battle. The table of the title is the green baize table to be found in a diplomatic conference room, where the ballet begins. Three men in morning dress negotiate at the table. The two sides cannot agree about the matter under discussion, evidently one of the great seriousness. In the final argument the diplomats pull out guns and fire them across the table, and war is declared.

We now see the result of the fruitless discussions and watch as Death, stalking throughout the battle like a rentless demonic force, claims his victims. There is a scene of parting, as soldiers leave war, scenes of carnage in battle and refugees fleeting, a scene in a brothel and the homecoming of the few survivors. Death claims every one; the fighting men, an old mother, a young girl in a brothel, a war profiteer. Then the action returns to the beginning and we are at the conference table again. Signifying peace, the diplomats fire their revolvers into the air and get on with discussion.

Comment on the following quotations.

1) Theatre is a magnifying glass. (M. Neyelova)

2) My character must live inside me for quite some time and I must believe in his identity more strongly than even the director does. (V. Tikhonov)

3) An actor certainly needs success and popularity. (L. Gurtchenko)

4) I would like to play women of deep emotions and whole-hearted strong character. (A. Vertinskaya)

5) I can see poetry everywhere, even in the grass. (A. Demidova)

With a partner, create the beginning of a script for a documentary, sitcom, miniseries or news broadcast. Keep in mind that it should be a compromise between written and spoken English. Read or perform your script for the class.

Topics for discussion.

1) It is often believed that TV and the cinema are eclipsing theatrical art, which is actually dying.

2) Many people believe that it’s much more convenient to watch a performance on TV at home. You don’t have to bother about the tickets, a baby-sitter, transport, etc. Give your comments.

UNIT 10. WOMEN AND THEIR ROLE IN THE SOCIETY.

TOPICAL VOCABULARY

-temperance; -outlaw; -initial; -initiative; -alternative; -beverage; -abolish; -abolitionist; -violence; -violent; -to violate; -guardian;

-in the eyes of the law; -extend rights; -to enjoy rights; -to grant the right; -to retain control of; -in the event of; -to voice one’s demands; -from every walk of life; -to live enough to see; -a male/female-dominated society; -to maintain personal identity; -to see to smth;

Use the proper word.

a) to elect – to select – to choose – to pick out

1. She had so many admirers that she didn’t know whom ***.

2. Each semester students are required to***five or six courses.

3. President of the USA is***every four years.

4. She ***a few China roses for the wedding party.

5. I didn’t know how to***the right words without being rude to express my indignation.

6. She was asked to***three students of her class for the maths competition.

7. out of the ten photos he was shown the witness***two.

b) to propose – to offer – to suggest

1. A year has passed since Nick***to Kelly and she still hasn’t given him any answer.

2. I***we put off considering this question until the Senator arrives.

3. I***you put an end to this affair.

4. He ***to give her a lift.

5. The Father***that they should celebrate Mother’s Day out of town.

6. Two projects were***for consideration.

c) to preserve – to retain – to keep

1. In Britain there are many places which still***their old Celtic names.

2. There are many ways of***vegetables for the winter.

3. The manager succeeded in***control over the company.

4. I don’t like***old clothes.

5. If you want to***fit, exercise and eat vegetables as much as you can.

6. These manuscripts were***in the library of the local museum.

d) company – campaign

1. Next year Caesar started his***earlier in the season.

2. The***pays insurance for its employees.

3. “Is it time or ***?”

4. Election***starts a year before the day of the election.

5. He is good***.

6. The winter***of 1942 determined the outcome of the war.

7. He wanted to keep us***.

Which is the odd word out.

a) to ask, to beg, to implore, to require, to inquire, to demand;

b) to vote for, to support, to back, to approve, to favour, to put forward, to sign;

c) to vote down, to disapprove, to put down, to deny, to reject, to turn down, to dismiss;

Complete the following.

1. Supporters of the women’s***want women to achieve***with men.

2. Another subject that has been receiving considerable attention recently***the position of women in the US.

3. The nationwide***against drugs use started in Australia.

4. The Revolution was***.

5. She was determined***

6. Some***her views, others***.

7. The***goods were taken to the market for sale.

8. I***my invitation to your husband and your family.

9. The majority of the population***for the new candidate from the conservative party.

10. The workers***their demands to raise their wages.

Fill in the blanks with the following phrasal verbs and expressions.

a) come about, come across, come around, come from, come into being, come to, come upon

1) Nobody knows how it***.

2) The customs***in the Middle Ages.

3) She’s fainted, but she is***.

4) Where do you***?

5) Nothing***their discussion.

6) The bill***50 dollars.

7) I***this expression in the dictionary.

8) Nobody knows how the accident***.

b) cut down, cut in, cut off, cut out, cut up

1) She***the cake and gave everybody a slice.

2) Don’t ***on me when I’m talking.

3) The witness wanted to say something else but he was***.

4) I must***on my expenses.

5) Smoking is bad for your health, you must***it***.

6) The girl is***for the job.

Read the text and discuss the following: the status of women in the colonial times and the reasons for its change at different stages of American history.

Sex Roles In America

Historians have argued that the early colonists in this country granted women a higher status than they had in England. One reason for the break with English custom was the importance of women’s labor in colonial times.

In 1813 the first New England cloth factory was established. Most of the women working in factories were in their late teens or early 20s; they usually quit when they married.

In the 19^th century middle-class women did not work outside the home. Economic and political doings were men’s responsibilities; the domestic side of life was the domain of women. The family was regarded as a kind of retreat from the stress and tension of the workday world; a good wife provided an atmosphere of tranquility, affection, and warmth. Child- care, instead of being just one of many tasks, became a “sacred duty” and a woman’s most important responsibility.

During the mid-19^th century the western migration, the abortion and social-reform movement, the Civil War, missionary activity, and industrialism had the combined effect of undermining the cult of True Womanhood by involving women in activities outside the home. Yet despite the departure of many women from family-centered concerns, our gender ideals and attitudes about sex roles are still rooted in the 19^th century belief in the “rightness” of man-as-provider, woman-as-homemaker.

Today, although these stereotypes persist, they have been weakened by several forces. One of the truths that has emerged from psychological research is that there is no such thing as a “pure” masculine personality or a “pure” feminine personality. There are traits of autonomy and dependency, aggression and passivity, in all of us, male and female. And given personality is a complex mix of all these traits. Another factor that has weakened stereotypes about the sexes is the realization that “masculinity” and “femininity” are the least partly a result of years of exposure to family, schools, peer groups, and other agents of socialization. It is widely recognized that the stereotypes are not “natural” but, rather, are created by the society.

Answer the questions.

- What are the advantages and disadvantages of women’s emancipation?

- Should women have some privileges?

- Do you think women should have a shorter working day?

- Do you think that men should share the household duties?

- Who, do you think, are more socially active, men or women?

- What accounts for women living longer than men?

- Why is women’s participation in power lower than that of men?

- Do you think that gender roles will change in the nearer future?

- Does being male or female make any difference in your life?

- What are women’s problems in Russia?