"THEATRE' Tasks for Chapters 7-10

TASKS for Chapters 7-10

I.                    Find the following words and phrases in the text and translate them into Russian:

Placidity – спокойный; 

to make frantic scenes – закатывать безумные сцены; 

to give sb. a look of scorn – бросить презрительный взгляд на кого-либо;

lavishness – щедрость;

to know how to pull strings adroitly – знать, как пустить в ход связи; 

to fall out of love – разлюбить; 

close-cropped hair – коротко стриженный; 

to resist an inclination – удержаться от чего-то; 

weather-beaten skin – обветренная кожа; 

coltish grace – щенячья грация; 

to be on active service – быть в действующей армии; 

confinement – роды; 

to run a theatre – открыть театр; 

effusive – экспансивный, несдержанный; 

to set one's mind to smth. – стремиться к чему-либо; 

disconcerting – смущающий, приводящий в замешательство; 

it's a knock out – сногсшибательно; 

amiability – добродушие; 

affable manner – дружеское обращение;

to exercise great ingenuity in (doing) smth. – проявить великую изобретательность в чем-то; 

to be unperturbed – быть невозмутимым; 

shrewdness – проницательность; 

to grizzle – возмущаться, раздражать;

it's a mere commonplace – это банально; 

exorbitant – непомерный; 

to be conciliatory – примирительный, дружелюбный; 

to foster one's career – способствовать чьей-то карьере; 

prosiness – прозаичность; 

acumen – проницательность; 

to have one's face lifted – подтянуть кожу лица; 

it's no good crying over spilt milk – потерянного не воротишь; 

to have little flirtations – заводить небольшие интриги; 

masseuse – массажистка; 

gossip column – колонка светской хроники; 

the world of make-believe – мир притворства.

II. Answer the following questions:

1.      What did Michael and Julia do when the war broke out?

They decided to open their own theatre.

2.      Why do you think Michael enjoyed the war?

I think, Michael enjoyed the war because exactly at that moment he was the commander – in – chief and he was known as significant and respected. He lacked such an attitude to his person in the sphere of the theatre.

3.      Do you think love is important for a successful family life? Would you share your point of view on this problem with your fellow students?

I think love is important for a successful family life because it helps loving people to be not only successful but also harmonious.

4.      How did it happen that Julia fell out of love with Michael?

When Michael returned back from the front, he stopped to be a handsome fellow with naïve thoughts and ideas. He became a grown-up, serious man. He had lost his youth. He became only an adult man.

5.      How did Michael manage to find the money to rent a theatre? What was the theatre called? Who was in the partnership with him?

Michael wanted Dolly de Vries, a widow, to finance the opening of their theatre. And she was in the partnership with him. Their theatre was called “The Siddons Theatre”.

6.      Why was Julia against Michael's taking up directing?

Julia was doubtful. Michael had no fantasy and his ideas were commonplace. She was not sure that he would have authority over the cast. But at the same time they had not got any opportunity to find professional directors. That’s why he became a director of “The Siddons Theatre”.

7.      What kind of director was Michael?

He was thorough; he worked hard.

8.      What irritated Julia in Michael more and more? How did he change in Julia's eyes?

As Julia fell out of love with Michael, he himself irritated her more and more: his smell, his appearance, his tender character.

9.      Why was Julia sad when she thought of her married life?

Her love had died, she felt that life had cheated her.

10.  Why was Michael happier than he had been before?

He stopped to be an usual actor, he became a successful director. He became a father. His theatre flourished. Everything changed for the better.

11.  Julia's dresser and maid was a Cockney, wasn't she? Please prove it using the examples from the text.

Cockney speech characterized by colloquial pronunciation and sinking of the letter h. I’ve got me ‘ealth and strength; to dress ‘er; to ‘ave.

12.  Who was the unknown man who sent flowers to Julia? Why did she write him a thank you note?

Mr Thomas Fennell.

III. Make up a list of words and phrases describing Michael's appearance and character. Say what you think of him.

- a very good figure, a great mass of curling chestnut hair and large deep blue eyes, a straight nose and small ears, (negative feature: thin mouth)

- the best- looking actor on the English stage
- very handsome
- good-looking and kind
- his voice was a trifle thin
- he didn’t like spending money
- friendly, good-humoured
- very simple-minded in some ways
- he had no fantasy and his ideas were commonplace (about theatre)
- honest
- a perfect husband
- take his beauty for granted
- to devote anxious care to his figure

On the one hand, Michael is a devoted husband. He is kind, careful and loving. That’s why I liked him as a good husband. But as a real man he is good-for-nothing. He is only a shade of his wife. And I don’t wonder that Julia loved him only when he was young and handsome. And when he became a man without his youth she fell out of love with him.

IV. Comment on the phrase from chapter 9: "Roger had been entered for Eton within a week of his birth." Comment on it. Give a short presentation on public schools in Britain.

Eton is a public school in Britain. As any public school, it demands money, prestige, and a high social status. Roger was a child of rich parents. They lived in the comfort and luxury. They could allow it.

There are two types of schools in the UK: state schools where education is free and private schools where you have to pay. The only thing is that private schools in Britain are called ... public. A long time ago when education was a privilege of the rich, the only schools where poor people could go were funded by charities (organisations that collect money for people in need). As it was public money, the schools for the poor were called public schools. However, in the course of history many public schools became very successful and turned into expensive private schools but the conservative British continued to call them public schools.

VI. Give a summary of chapters 7-10.

Julia continued to recollect her past. When Michael had returned back from the front, he decided to open his own theatre. With the help of a rich widow Dolly de Vries he had opened it and had become a director there. “The Siddons Theatre” flourished. But in some time Julia realized that she had fallen out of love with Michael. And now, she was Julia was one of the most successful actresses all over the world. At the end of a play Julia received flowers from an unknown fan Tomas Fennel.