THE THEATRE Britain has a long tradition of drama, British theatre began in the thirteenth century, before the time of Shakespeare, with a series of short stories from the Ri. ble called the Mystery plays. Even today, every four years in York and Chester, or- dinary people still perform these plays. Acting, both by amateurs and professionals, is still very much alive in Bri- tain. British professional actors are usually highly respected and well-trained. The most famous British theatres are the National theatre and Barbican. The Roy- al Shakespeare Company performs at the Barbican in London and in Stratford-on- Avon, where Shakespeare was born. These theatres receive money from the go- vernment so that they can perform several different plays a year. In spite of this money from the government, many theatres, including the National theatre and the Barbican, find it difficult to survive. There are many smaller theatre groups in Britain. Some of them receive money from the government to perform plays which are contemporary and experimental. Commercial theatres do not receive any money from the government. They usually perform very popular plays. If a play is successful, the company will per- form it for many years.
Task. True or False
1. Three types of theatres are mentioned in the text.
2. Shakespeare was the person who started the tradition to stage the plays in the theatre.
3. Ordinary people in some cities prefer only watching plays not acting.
4. British professional actors usually show excellent acting.
5. All theatres in Britain receive money from the government.
6. All theatres stage only classical plays. 7. Shakespeare's plays are staged only in his native town.
8. All theatres have a successful run.
9. Commercial theatres stage any plays they wish because they aren't given any money from the government.
True. The text mentions the National Theatre, Barbican, and smaller theater groups.
2. Shakespeare was the person who started the tradition to stage the plays in the theatre. (True/False)
False. The text states that British theatre began in the thirteenth century, before the time of Shakespeare, with mystery plays from the Bible.
3. Ordinary people in some cities prefer only watching plays, not acting. (True/False)
False. The text mentions that even today, every four years in York and Chester, ordinary people still perform the mystery plays.
4. British professional actors usually show excellent acting. (True/False)
True. The text states that British professional actors are highly respected and well-trained.
5. All theatres in Britain receive money from the government. (True/False)
False. The text mentions that the National Theatre and Barbican receive money from the government, but it also mentions that many theatres, including the National Theatre and Barbican, find it difficult to survive. Smaller theater groups receive government funding for contemporary and experimental plays, but commercial theatres do not receive any money from the government.
6. All theatres stage only classical plays. (True/False)
False. Smaller theater groups mentioned in the text perform contemporary and experimental plays. Additionally, commercial theatres usually perform popular plays.
7. Shakespeare's plays are staged only in his native town. (True/False)
False. Shakespeare's plays are performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican in London and in Stratford-on-Avon, where Shakespeare was born.
8. All theatres have a successful run. (True/False)
False. The text mentions that many theatres, including the National Theatre and Barbican, find it difficult to survive. Not all theaters have a successful run.
9. Commercial theatres stage any plays they wish because they aren't given any money from the government. (True/False)
True. The text states that commercial theatres do not receive any money from the government. They usually perform popular plays of their choice.