A (Very) Brief History of the English Language


The Working Day of an Engineer



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The Working Day of an Engineer


One of my friends, Dmitry Shevelev, lives in Vladivostok now though he was born in Nakhodka. Some years ago he graduated from the one of our institutions and became an engineer. Now he lives near his office. He usually walks there. He works on weekdays. I can’t say that he works hard, but all his mates like him because he is a good mixer or, as you may say, he is very communicable person. He doesn’t work on Saturday or Sunday. His working day usually lasts for eight hours. His duties are to answer all incoming letters and calls, to meet with different specialists, to help junior engineers. He often tells me that he likes his job. I usually meet him after the work and we speak about life. He is very glad that he found such work where he can show all his talents. Though there is a difference between our ages, we have much in common. He is among my best friends.

By the way, my friend knows English very well (he finished school #13). It helps him a lot as every year various foreign delegations come to their office. These delegations change different technologies with our specialists and discuss many problems. All foreigners thought Shevelev to be the best translator in their institute.


Theatre


We go to the theatre to see a play, that is to say, a performance given by actors and actresses. A play of a serious character, dealing with important human problems is called a tragedy. A play of a humorous, lighter character is a comedy (or a farce). Dramatists are called playwrights nowadays and there are no longer such great dramatists as Shakespeare or G. B. Show.

If we want to go to a theatre we buy tickets at the box-office and show them to the attendant at the entrance. In the building there is a hall, a large foyer and a cloak-room where we leave our overcoats, hats, etc. The audience can walk in the foyer in the intervals. Many doors lead to the auditorium consisting of stalls, boxes and balconies. In front of the auditorium there is a curtain separating it from the stage. The curtain rises when the play begins and falls at the end of each act.

Many people must work together to produce a play. The author writes it; the producer conducts the acting; carpenters, mechanics, designers prepare the scenery; electricians and light operators see to the light effects and operate the floodlights. We, the playgoers (or fans) demand an interesting plot, good acting, impressive scenery — that is two hours of good entertainment.
Theatres in London

There are a great number of theatres in London: the chief theatres, music-halls and so on. They are mainly in the West End. No doubt; you will easily find the way to spend an enjoyable evening in London. You can choose opera, ballet, drama, comedy, variety, musical comedy, revue.

You can ask about the best seats at theatres. The best ones are those in the stalls, the circle, and the upper circle. Then comes the pit. The gallery offers the cheapest seats.

Boxes are the most expensive.

All the theatres and music halls have their own orchestras with popular conductors. If you are an opera-goer, you are sure to get best of everything - an excellent orchestra, famous conductors, celebrated singers and well-dressed audience. But if you don't like music and singing, opera will be boring for you.

At the theatres situated in the West End you can see plenty of famous actors and actresses. It goes without saying that the plays here are magnificently staged. Costumes, dresses, scenery are done on the most lavish scale.

If you choose a play you like, you'll enjoy yourself.

The National Theatre

It took over the hundred years to establish a national theatre company. It's first director from 1962 was Lawrence Olivier. This is the first state theatre Britain has ever had. A special building for it was opened in 1976. It has three theatres in one: "The Oliver theatre", the biggest is for the main classical repertoire; "The Lyttilton", a bit smaller is for new writing and for visiting foreign countries and "The Cottesloe theatre", the smallest is used for experimental writing and productions. "The Royal Shakespeare company" are divided between the country and the capital and it's produces plays mainly by Shakespeare and his contemporaries when it performs is "Stratford -on-Avon", and modern plays in it's two auditoria in the Cities, Barbican centre.




Theatres, music halls and cinemas


Theatres are very much the same in London as anywhere else; the chief theatres, music halls and cinemas are in the West End. If you are staying in London for a few days, you'll have no difficulty whatsoever in finding somewhere to spend an enjoyable evening. You'll find opera, ballet, comedy, drama, revue, musical comedy and variety. Films are shown in the cinemas most of the day.

The best seats in theatres are those in the stalls, the circle and the upper circle. Then comes the pit, and the last of all the gallery where the seats are cheapest. Boxes, of course, are the most expensive. Most theatres and music halls have good orchestras with popular conductors.

You ought to make a point of going to the opera at least once during the season if you can. There you can get the best of everything - an exellent orchestras, famous conductors, celebated singers and well dressed audience. But, of course, if you are not fond of music and singing, won't interest you.

At the West End theatres you can see most of the famous English actors and actresses. As a rule, the plays are magnificently staged - costumes, dresses, scenery, everything being done of the most lavish scale. Choose a good play, and you'll enjoy yourself thoroughly from the moment the curtain goes up to the end of the last act. Get your seats beforehand, either at the box-office of theatre itself or at one of the agencies. When you go to a theatre, you'll probably want to seat as near to the stage as possible. But if you are at the cinema, you may prefer to seat some distance from the screen. In fact, I would say, the further away the better.




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