DIALOGUE 1
A:
In what part of the auditorium do you like to sit, George: in the stalls, in the pit, in the dress circle, in the gallery or in the box?
In what part of the auditorium do you like to sit, George: in the stalls, in the pit, in the dress circle, in the gallery or in the box?
G:
I generally book seats in the pit of in the gallery.
I generally book seats in the pit of in the gallery.
A:
Aren’t seats in the orchestra stall better ?
Aren’t seats in the orchestra stall better ?
G:
Certainly, they are. But being a regular theatre-goer, I can’t afford them very often. Can you ?
Certainly, they are. But being a regular theatre-goer, I can’t afford them very often. Can you ?
DIALOGUE 2
A:
I want four seats for Sunday, please.
I want four seats for Sunday, please.
C:
You can have very good seats in the stalls, row 3.
You can have very good seats in the stalls, row 3.
A:
Oh, no! It’s near the orchestra pit. My wife can’t stand loud music.
Oh, no! It’s near the orchestra pit. My wife can’t stand loud music.
C:
Then I could offer you some seats in the pit.
Then I could offer you some seats in the pit.
A:
I’m afraid that won’t do either. My father-in-law is terribly short-sighted. He wouldn’t see much from the pit, would he ?
I’m afraid that won’t do either. My father-in-law is terribly short-sighted. He wouldn’t see much from the pit, would he ?
C:
Hm… perhaps you’d care to take a box ?
Hm… perhaps you’d care to take a box ?
A:
Certainly not ! It’s too expensive. I can’t afford it.
Certainly not ! It’s too expensive. I can’t afford it.
C:
The dress-circle then ?
The dress-circle then ?
A:
I don’t like to sit in the dress-circle.
I don’t like to sit in the dress-circle.
C:
I’m afraid the only thing that remains is the gallery.
I’m afraid the only thing that remains is the gallery.
A:
How can you suggest such a thing! My mother-in-law is a stout woman with a weak heart.We couldn’t dream of letting her walk up four flights of stairs, could we?
How can you suggest such a thing! My mother-in-law is a stout woman with a weak heart.We couldn’t dream of letting her walk up four flights of stairs, could we?
C:
I find, sir, that there isn’t a single seat in the house that would suit you.
I find, sir, that there isn’t a single seat in the house that would suit you.
A:
There isn’t, is there? Well, I think we’d rather go the movies. As for me,I don’t care much for this theatre-going business. Good bye!
There isn’t, is there? Well, I think we’d rather go the movies. As for me,I don’t care much for this theatre-going business. Good bye!
DIALOGUE 3
P:
Good evening, John!
Good evening, John!
J:
Good evening, Peter ! This is a small world! How are you ?
Good evening, Peter ! This is a small world! How are you ?
P:
Fine, thanks. How are you ?
Fine, thanks. How are you ?
J:
Life is going its usual way. Thanks.
Life is going its usual way. Thanks.
P:
Pleased to hear it. Incidentally, where do you have a seat ?
Pleased to hear it. Incidentally, where do you have a seat ?
J:
In the stalls, row C. And where is your seat?
In the stalls, row C. And where is your seat?
P:
In the box, close to the stage.
In the box, close to the stage.
J:
So you don’t have to use opera-glasses.
So you don’t have to use opera-glasses.
P:
That’s right . What do you think of the play ?
That’s right . What do you think of the play ?
J:
The action develops slowly. Some scenes are dull. The cast is not very good. Do you share my opinion ?
The action develops slowly. Some scenes are dull. The cast is not very good. Do you share my opinion ?
P:
Frankly speaking, I do. It turns out to be rather a poor performance. Have you been to this theatre before?
Frankly speaking, I do. It turns out to be rather a poor performance. Have you been to this theatre before?
J:
Haven’t had a chance, you know. I’m here for the first time. I like the auditorium.It is beautifully decorated. The chairs are comfortable and the chandelier is wonderful. In short, everything here is magnificent but the performance.
Haven’t had a chance, you know. I’m here for the first time. I like the auditorium.It is beautifully decorated. The chairs are comfortable and the chandelier is wonderful. In short, everything here is magnificent but the performance.
P:
I advise you to see “Othello” by Shakespeare at this theatre. You will be impressed.
I advise you to see “Othello” by Shakespeare at this theatre. You will be impressed.
J:
I’ve been dreaming of seeing any play in the country. I’ll do my best to see “Othello”.
I’ve been dreaming of seeing any play in the country. I’ll do my best to see “Othello”.
P:
I want to inform you that the best actors are engaged in the performance. The leading man is a famous actor. His name is well-known in this country and abroad.
I want to inform you that the best actors are engaged in the performance. The leading man is a famous actor. His name is well-known in this country and abroad.
J:
I hope I’ll enjoy the performance. The lights are going down.
I hope I’ll enjoy the performance. The lights are going down.
P:
We must hurry to the auditorium. In a minute the curtain will be up.
We must hurry to the auditorium. In a minute the curtain will be up.
J:
Be seeing you later.
Be seeing you later.
DIALOGUE 4 AFTER THE PLAY
A:
Well, Mary, how did you like the play ?
Well, Mary, how did you like the play ?
M:
Frankly speaking, the play … the staging, the acting were beyond description.
Frankly speaking, the play … the staging, the acting were beyond description.
A:
The acting was perfect. Each actor performed his part so realistically, so true to life that I began to feel for them as in real life.
The acting was perfect. Each actor performed his part so realistically, so true to life that I began to feel for them as in real life.
M:
You know, at times I completely forgot myself and couldn’t tear my eyes away from the stage. I was in raptures over what I saw on the stage. I had never seen anything more wonderful.
You know, at times I completely forgot myself and couldn’t tear my eyes away from the stage. I was in raptures over what I saw on the stage. I had never seen anything more wonderful.
A:
Did you notice that the actors use very little make-up ?
Did you notice that the actors use very little make-up ?
M:
Yes, that struck me at once. What is more, all the actors had wonderful dresses. The scenery was out of ordinary (superb). The sets were changed in no time. To tell you the truth, I enjoyed every minute of the play.
Yes, that struck me at once. What is more, all the actors had wonderful dresses. The scenery was out of ordinary (superb). The sets were changed in no time. To tell you the truth, I enjoyed every minute of the play.
A:
Well, I’m awfully glad you enjoyed. I agree fully with you it was a superb performance. I was deeply impressed by the play.
Well, I’m awfully glad you enjoyed. I agree fully with you it was a superb performance. I was deeply impressed by the play.
M:
It’s a play I’ll remember for long !
It’s a play I’ll remember for long !
A:
Besides, what a responsive audience! Did you ever hear such a burst of applause from the spectators every time the curtain went down?
Besides, what a responsive audience! Did you ever hear such a burst of applause from the spectators every time the curtain went down?
M:
I’ve never seen an audience applaud so much before. I think there were more that five curtain calls.
I’ve never seen an audience applaud so much before. I think there were more that five curtain calls.
A:
By the way, I applauded so much that my hands ached. Many spectators couldn’t help throwing flowers on the stage.
By the way, I applauded so much that my hands ached. Many spectators couldn’t help throwing flowers on the stage.
