2020-09-28
118
Objectives: In this unit students will:
- learn common phrases for choosing seats at the theatre and buying tickets;
- take part in role-plays to practice discussing where and what performances to see, exchanging opinions about the play.
Task 1. Read the phrases and practice saying them:
| Buying tickets: | Box office describing seats: |
| I’d like to buy two seats for tomorrow’s show. Can I still get tickets for tonight? Are there any seats left for Saturday night? Is it still possible to get tickets for tomorrow? Is there anything left for tonight? Is there anything further back? Are there any boxes? Haven’t you got anything cheaper? Are there any seats in the upper-circle? I suppose there’s nothing in the circle, is there? There aren’t any boxes left, are there? Is there any chance of the first row? | Would you like something in the front stalls? The front row of the dress-circle is fairly free. You can sit wherever you like in the first row. How many tickets do you need? I’ve got 2 seats left. I have only seats for the matinee left. I will have tickets only if somebody cancels. I’m afraid you’ve left it rather late. I have only rear stalls left. Everything’s booked except the royal box. You wouldn’t like the back row, would you? |
| Giving information: | Sharing opinion: |
| There’s a good comedy on at the Royal Theatre next week. The Covent Garden Theatre in London is famous for its ballet and opera performances with the best English ballet dancers and singers. The house is usually full. You have to book seats in advance. The National Theatre shows the best dramas. At the Aldwych Theatre both new and classical plays are put on. Have you seen many performances on the stage of the London Stratford Theatre? You can buy a programme and take opera-glasses to fully enjoy the performance. The best actors are engaged in this performance. You can buy a drink at the intermission. The action of this play is set in London. | It was a splendid performance. The cast was perfect. There was so much feeling in the performance of the actors! The performance was very dramatic and convincing. I`ve heard you are a theatre-goer, aren't you? The action develops slowly. Some scenes are dull. The cast is not very good. That happens to be a rather poor performance. The hall is beautifully decorated. The chairs are comfortable and the performance is wonderful. The performance is magnificent. I absolutely adore the leading man’s play! This performance has an intricate plot and brilliant acting. It’s a heart-squeezing and ear-pleasing show – and the best commercial work of art I've recently seen. I particularly liked the choreography. |
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Task 2. In pairs take part in a role-play at the box-office. Read the task below.
One of you is a theatre-goer and wants to buy tickets for a performance, but needs advice what play to choose. The other student is a box-office clerk and gives recommendations what performance to see and what seats to take.
Level 1
Time 10 min.
| A: You want to buy tickets for tomorrow. | B: There are tickets for three plays for tomorrow. Ask what performance the person would like to choose. |
| A: You need recommendations. | B: Tell the customer, that he/she can choose a comedy, a drama and a matinee. |
| A: Say that you have free time only in the evening. | B: Say that only two options are left. |
| A: Choose a comedy or a drama. | B: Ask how many tickets the customer needs. |
| A: You need one ticket in the stalls. | B: Everything is booked except the front stalls, and a ticket there costs 150 pounds. |
| A: Ask if there is anything cheaper. | B: Offer a balcony seat for 80 pounds or a gallery seat for 40 pounds. |
| A: Make a choice and buy the ticket. Ask the seat number. | B: Give the required information. |
Task 3. In pairs take part in a role-play. Read the task below.
One of you is a keen theatre-goer, and the other student is not a big fan of performances. You incidentally meet in the theatre and have a small talk in the intermission.
Level 2
Time 10 min.
| Card 1 You are a true theatre-goer. You have met your friend in the theatre. Discuss tonight’s performance, tell him/her about the performances you’ve seen and recommend one of them. Be ready to: l greet your friend, show surprise, ask with whom he/she has come; l ask where his/her seat is, whether it is far from you and from the stage; l show excitement and admiration about the play and ask your friend’s opinion about it; l make at least three positive remarks about this play (cast, plot, action); l tell your friend about the best play you have seen this season (its name, where the action is set and the main theme); l be back to your seats before the curtain is up. |
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| Card 2 You are not a big fan of theatre performances, but you’ve come with your sister. You are a little skeptical about the theatre and don’t really like tonight’s performance. Discuss the play with your friend. Be ready to: l greet your friend, show surprise, ask with whom he/she has come; l ask your friend if he/she needs to use opera-glasses and if he/she has bought a programme; l show dissatisfaction and disappointment about the play and ask your friend’s opinion about it; l make at least three negative remarks about this play (scenes, actors, the leading man, the leading lady); l ask him/her about his/her other favourite plays of this season. |
Additional Practice
