A t the broadway theatre

Two years ago I was in New York and went to the Broadway show. I have always wanted to see it. The Broadway theatres are famous for their excellent performances. Their productions are always a success and have a very long run.

It was “The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber. I was happy because it won the 1988 Award for Best Musical and is now the longest-running show in Broadway history.

My friend booked two tickets on-line for a matinee performance. We arrived 15 minutes before the show began and entered the hall. The house was packed. We took our seats in the 5th row. The curtain went up and you became a spectator. The play made a great impression on us. The show lasted two and a half hours. The atmosphere was really magical. All the play, the acting, the staging were beyond any description. The audience couldn’t tear their eyes away from the stage. All the actors had wonderful dresses and the scenery was out of ordinary. The spectators were deeply impressed by the play and the cast.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic musical masterpiece is based on gothic novel of life beneath the stage of the Paris Opera House where The Phantom reigns. He passes his time terrorizing the members of the Opera until he falls in love with a chorus girl who he teaches to sing the 'Music of the Night'.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece combines a quality of music genius with strength of storyline and use of breathtaking theatrical effects that enthralls audiences.

The music was amazing. The singing was incredible, and the special effects were outstanding.  The actors were magnificent. Their voices are so strong and perfect. We enjoyed the performance very much. I will remember this mysteriously romantic opera for the rest of my life.

Many people believe that it's much more convenient to watch a performance on TV at home, because you don't have to bother about the tickets, transport and so on. As for me I think that it is dull and boring. The main part of the theatre and theatrical performance are the atmosphere of a play, scenery and halls. If you see it on TV you only see the movement, and you only waste your time. As for me I go to the theatre to see the emotions, and switch on the TV-set to see news.

In conclusion I'd like to say that going to the theatre makes us clever, well- bred, well-educated. It's quite necessary to visit the theatre.

Words & Expressions:

a matinee performance – дневной спектакль

a spectator – зритель

to make a great impression – производить большое впечатление

staging – постановка

to tear eyes away from the stage – оторвать глаза от сцены

a masterpiece – шедевр

a chorus – хор

a storyline – сюжетная линия

breathtaking – захватывающий, потрясающий

to enthral – покорять, захватывать

incredible – невероятный

to book tickets on-line – заказать билеты по интернету

Questions:

1. How often do you go to the theatre?

2. What theatres are there in your town (city)?

3. What theatre do you prefer to visit?

4. Who do you usually go to the theatre with?

5. How do you usually buy tickets?

6. Where do you prefer to sit in the theatre?

7. What was your best visit to the theatre?

   1. What did you see?

   2. What was it about?

   3. What type of performance was it?

   4. Did you enjoy it?

   5. Who do you think is the main audience for this play?

Exercise. Make up a story using following expressions:

to include into the cast, to get the part, on getting through the role, to rehearse, a partner, to imitate, the director, to be pleased, to appreciate, to be a success, no applause, to come backstage.