THEATRE The word "theatre" comes from a Greek word meaning a place for seeing. In this sense, the word refers to the space where performances are staged. However in a broad sense, theatre includes everything that is involved in production, such as the script, the stage, the performing company, and the audience. In addition, theatre refers to a part of human culture that began in ancient times. Theatre is not the same as drama, though the words are frequently used interchangeably. Drama refers to the literary part of a performance, that is the play. There are different forms of drama, such as tragedy, serious drama, melodrama, and comedy. Theatre is one of the most complex arts. It requires many kinds of artists for its creation. These specialists include a playwright, performers, a director, a scene designer, a costumier, a lighting designer, and various technicians. For many productions composers, musicians, and a choreographer (a creator of dances) are needed. A director of the theatre integrates all aspects of production including scenery, costumes, makeup, lighting, sound effects, music, and dancing. There are many people who love and visit different kinds of theatres: drama theatres, musical theatres, puppet theatres, opera and ballet houses. A successful theatrical event is an exciting and stimulating experience. There are a lot of theatres around the world. The theatrical centre of the United Kingdom is London. There are more than 40 theatres in West End of London, such as the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which operate a repertory system and use a regular company. The best-known centre of professional theatre in the United States is New York City, though Chicago and Los Angeles have become major centres as well. Moscow and St. Petersburg are the two major theatre centres in Russia. The Maly and Bolshoi Theatre are known all over the world. EXERCISE 16. Read and give a summary of the text. MUSIC IN OUR LIFE Music is one of the oldest arts. People probably started singing as soon as language developed. Many ancient peoples, including the Egyptians, Chinese, Babylonians, and the people of India, used music in religious ceremonies. The first written music dates from about 2500 B. C. Nowadays, music takes many forms around the world. There are two chief kinds of music: classical and popular. Classical music includes symphonies, operas, and ballets. Popular music includes country music, folk music, jazz, rock music, etc. Music plays a major role in other arts. Opera combines singing and orchestral music with drama. Ballet and other forms of dancing need music to help the dancers. Film and TV dramas use music to help set mood and emphasize the action. Music plays an important part in all cultures and social activities. Nearly all peoples use music in their religious services to create a state of mystery and awe, a feeling of distance from the daily world. Many people perform music for their own satisfaction. Singing in a choir or playing a musical instrument in a band can be very enjoyable. Music provides people with a way to express their feelings. EXERCISE 17. Quote the sentences in which these words and word combinations are used in the texts: comes from, in a broad sense, such as, the same as, that is, a lot of, Royal, repertory, as well, all over the world, as soon as, B. C., nowadays, etc., set mood, a state of mystery and awe, from the daily world, in a choir.