"THEATRE" Tasks For Chapters 1-2

 

“THEATRE” BY W. S. MAUGHAM

TASKS for Chapters 1-2

I. Explain in English or give definitions of and find contextual synonyms for the following words and phrases:

Complacency - the feeling you have got when you are satisfied with yourself; self-satisfied

Three times running – to take place three times;

Filthy - very dirty and unpleasant;

Supercilious - disapproving behavior towards other people as if you think you are better than they are; arrogant

Military bearing – the high, professional stage/level in the military sphere;

Natural flamboyance – brightness on the stage;

Stupendous - extremely large or impressive, especially greater or better than you expect;

Staggered – to be amazed by something peculiar;

Natural homage – respectful attitude;

Entanglement - a difficult or complicated relationship with e.g. another person or country;

Concubinage - extramarital relationships between men and women;

Languorous – an apathic feeling;

Flippant rejoinder – a light-headed response;

To risk smth – to do everything in order to achieve smth in spite of risks and dangers; to venture

A quick study – to have a phenomenal memory for learning by heart;

II. Search for the allusions in the text. Define their type (literary, artistic, historical and others) and functions; explain their meaning.

Literary.

William Shakespeare - was an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.

Hamlet- is Shakespeare's longest play and among the most powerful and influential tragedies in English literature, with a story capable of "seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others. It is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare between 1599 and 1602.

On the first pages, the reader is confronted with such a great name as W. Shakespeare. It helps us to realize that the whole novel is devoted to the art in all its demonstrations.  

Artistic.

Benoît-Constant Coquelin – was a famous French actor.

Eleanor Duse – was a famous Italian actress. She was famous for her talent of the impersonation into different figures.

Sara Siddons - was a Welsh actress, the best-known tragedienne of the 18th century. She was most famous for her portrayal of the Shakespearean character, Lady Macbeth. She was very, very talented and prominent that’s why she was an example to follow for Julia Lambert.

John Philip Kemble - was an English actor. He was born into a theatrical family as the eldest son of Roger Kemble, actor-manager of a touring troupe  His elder sister Sarah Siddons achieved fame with him on the stage of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He played a huge number of parts, including a large number of Shakespearean characters.

As for artistic allusions, they personify the theatrical world, talented people and such a feeling when you are ready to give up everything (a personal life, beloved people, friends) for the sake of the theatre and a backstage life.

III. Using direct and indirect evidence from the text give character sketches of Julia Lambert and Michael Gosselyn.

Julia Lambert was a forty six-year woman, with an attractive and bright appearance. Let me quote: “She was a woman with big brown eyes and very nice delightful warm, ready smile. She wasn’t a brilliant conversationalist, but her eyes were so bright, her manner so intelligent". Her clothes were from Paris. Her Aunt, the former actress, taught her how to behave herself among people. So, we can say with the confidence that the career of the actress was predefined to Julia from the early age. Besides, she was elegant, womanly and too excessively talented. Twenty six years of toil lied behind her. Julia was bossy and independent (the most important qualities for real actresses). On the one hand, she was not only a favorite of the audience but also a good, care wife. On the other hand, there was nothing but her theatre, stage, success, admiration and recognition. her life was an ordinary performance for her. Her gestures, phrases, mimicry, postures only proved it. All the time she tried on different masks and roles. When she was speaking with someone, she was acting; when she was solving problems, she was acting again. It was her credo – to act all the time.

Michael Gosselyn was 52 years old. The author writes: “He had a very good figure, a great mass of curling chestnut hair and large deep blue eyes, a straight nose and small ears’. At 25 years old he decided to be an actor. In spite of his beauty, he didn’t have any success. Michael started his career with Shakespeare. He played Romeo at Cambridge. But then, having accepted to the same theatre as Julia, his talent was discovered. He adored his wife, her acting and manners of behavior. His marriage was firm for the sake of their mutual interests. But, from the first pages we understand that he was a shade of his wife in spite of his social position. His wife was a great star, and he was the husband of great Julia Lambert.

IV. Give a summary of the first two chapters.

A highly successful and extremely popular theatre actress Julia Lambert and a stage director Michael Gosselyn, Julia’s husband, were the owners of their theatre called “Siddons Theatre”. They had a nineteen-year son Roger but for Julia there was only her theatre, only her wonderful career, and only her stunning success. One day Michael introduced Julia to Tom Fennel, who worked as an accountant in the same theatre. They decided to invite a fellow for lunch. There they got to know that Tom admired Julia’s acting, he was a fan of her creation.