English children's theatre - Английский театр юного зрителя
Little Women, The Wind in the Willows, The Story of Babar, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderlandare some of the classic stories enjoyed by American children. Now these books are being placed on the shelves of many children’s theatres across the United Kingdom.
Children’s books have
become the focus (1) of children’s theatre in the United Kingdom only in the last decade. In the 1970s many professional theatres staged plays dealing with
sensitive issues (2) for young people — problems like coping with
divorce (3) and
drugs (4). A few professional theatres still present this type of play exclusively, but more theatres are bending to the demands of parents who want to see theatre supplement and encourage reading. Now children’s theatres are producing storybook plays on stage with costuming, stage designs, and scripts inspired by the original books. Many theatres even work directly with a book’s author to capture that feeling of intimacy with a story that typically comes only from reading the book itself.
Approximately 200 professional theatres in the United Kingdom are devoted to children’s productions. Most of them rely on a combination of ticket
revenues (5), fundraising activities, grants, and sponsors to cover their budgeted salaries and production expenses. Few have succeeded as well as Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) of Birmingham.
Liverpool, which started in 1961 with a loan of £100 and now has a £3 million operating budget, is the largest of any UK theatre for young people.
Due to its success, CTC has been able to expand its audience beyond the community base and produce plays that travel around the nation. It has recently participated in a cultural exchange programme with Russia, and it is planning a joint theatre project with the Children’s Art Theatre of Shanghai in the People’s Republic of China. CTC artistic director Jon Cranney said of these exchange: “It was interesting to see how we share humour. It has given us a better perspective on ourselves, our work, and who we are in the world. It has broadened our audience”.
Vocabulary
1. became the focus - интересоваться
2. sensitive issues - острые (злободневные вопросы)
3. divorce - развод
4. drug - наркотики
5. ticket revenues - прибыль от билетов
Questions
1. What classic stories are enjoyed by American children?
2. When have children’s books become the focus of children’s theatre in the United Kingdom?
3. What are the demands of parents to children’s theatre?
4. What are children’s theatres producing now?
5. How many professional theatres in the United Kingdom are devoted to chil¬dren’s productions?
После работы с текстом давайте вместе с Анной Кобурн отправимся на экскурсию в самый знаменитый театр мира – шекспировский театр «Глобус». Это современная реконструкция здания. Новый «Глобус» был открыт в 1997 году. Он расположен в 200-х метрах от первоначального месторасположения театра.
Weekend in London: Globe Theater from Annie Coburn
The replica of Shakespeare's 1599 Globe Theatre was the project of Sam Wanamaker. In 1970, Sam established the Shakespeare Trust which did the impossible of making way in 1993 to begin construction of the Globe. The Globe was completed in 1997, but Sam never saw the fulfillment of his project since he died in 1993.
For the price of 5 GBP, you can be a groundling and watch a Shakespeare production.
Теперь наш путь лежит в лондонский район Ковент-Гарден. Здесь расположен и одноимённый Королевский театр (англ. Theatre Royal, Covent Garden). С 1946 года он служит местом проведения оперных и балетных спектаклей, являясь домашней сценой Лондонской Королевской оперы и Лондонского Королевского балета.
Weekend in London: Covent Garden from Annie Coburn
Covent Garden has a plethora of shops, cafes, and the Royal Opera House. Free entertainers encircle the complex for your viewing pleasure.
This area once supplied the food for Westminster Abbey.
British performing Arts in the 20th century - Искусство Великобритании в ХХ столетии
In the 20th century Britain has remained one of the world’s greatest centres for drama. Britain’s many theatres attract crowds from all over the world. This is due in large measure to the high calibre of 20th-century British actors, including Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir Michael Redgrave, Sir John Gielgud, Sir Alec Guinness, Sir Rex Harrison, Richard Burton, Glenda Jackson, Vanessa Redgrave, Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. The quality of the plays is another important factor. In the early 20th century noted playwrights included John Galsworthy and Noel Coward. Post-World War II Britain saw
a renaissance (1) of drama with the avant-garde works of Irish- born Samuel Beckett and the plays and screenplays of Harold Pinter. Play wright and screenwriter John Osborne presented stark social realism in his play Look Back in Anger (1956), which was made into a film in 1959.
Britain has more than 300 professional theatres successfully producing plays, about 100 of which are in London, half of those in the West End district. There are
approximately (2) 300 professional theatre companies. The world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company performs in London and at theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon. Famous theatres in London also include the Royal National Theatre and the Old-Vic Theatre. Countless
amateur (3) theatrical groups also perform throughout Britain.
Music has been
enormously (4) important in Britain in the 20th century and London is regarded as one of the great music capitals of the world. Britain boasts thousands of amateur opera societies,
choirs (5) and musical groups, including dance groups, brass and steel orchestras; rock and jazz groups.
Important composers in the early 20th century include Sir Edward Elgar, who wrote choral and orchestral music, and Frederick Delius, who composed the opera A Village Romeo and Juliet (1900-1901). Late in the century, Ralph Williams established himself as Britain’s
foremost (6) composer, and Sir William Walton composed many important classical works, including the opera Troilus and Cressida (1954). In opera, Benjamin Britten and Sir Michael Tippett created several important works. Tippet combined classical music with popular music — his Fourth Symphony (1977) contained elements of jazz. Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed musicals for the theatre since the 1970s, producing such smash hits as Jesus Christ Superstar (1971) and Phantom of the Opera (1986).
Britain has many professional
orchestras (7), the most famous of which are the London Philharmonic and the London Symphony. The BBC maintains six orchestras and sponsors the popular annual concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Britain has several major opera theatres, the best known of which are the Royal Opera and the English National Opera in London.
Britain’s worldwide impact: in music in the second half of the 20th century, especially in the realm of popular music, has been enormous. The Beatles appeared in the 1960s and were followed by other successful rock groups and singers, including such names as the Rolling Stones, Elton John and Sting. Famous rock-and-roll icons such as the Beatles have had their music played by the Royal Philharmonic with members of the royal family in attendance. Pop and rock music remain the most popular kinds of music in Britain, although jazz also has a large following.
Britain also has famous dance companies that rank among the world’s leading
troupes (8).
These include the Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet, located in London. London hosts two contemporary dance festivals every year.
Britain hosts more than 600 professional arts festivals each year, attracting more than 4 million visitors. The two largest arts festivals in Britain are held in Scotland.
Vocabulary
1. renaissance [rə'neɪs(ə)n(t)s] - возрождение
2. approximately [ə'prɔksɪmətlɪ] - примерно
3. amateur ['æmətə] - любитель, любитель
4. enormous - огромный
5. choir ['kwaɪə] - хор, капелла
6. foremost - передовой, новатор
7. orchestra - оркестр
8. troupe - труппа
Questions
1. Why has Britan remained one of the world’s greatest centres for drama in the 20th century?
2. What were the names of the best British actors of that time?
3. How many professional theatres does Britain have?
4. What are the world famous theatres in Great Britain?
5. Why is London regarded as one of the greatest music capital of the world?
В Лондоне, позади Национальной галереи, есть очень удобный и практичный билетный театральный киоск. Здесь, благодаря некоммерческой организации Лондонского театрального общества, вы можете приобрести билет в любой лондонский театр на текущий день в два раза дешевле. Так что – будете в британской столице – не забудьте завернуть за Национальную галерею!
Киоск открыт с 10:00 утра до 7:00 вечера ежедневно.
TKTS (discount theater tickets) from Annie Coburn
The TKTS kiosk, located behind the National Gallery, is your discount theater headquarters. Operated by the non-profit organization, Society for London Theatre, TKTS is powered by Ticketmaster so your purchases are safe. At TKTS you can purchase same day tickets at a 50% to no discount price.
The booth is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.
