III. Choose the best variant.

1. Contemporary British playwrights who have received international recognition include: …

A. Harold Pinter with his The Caretaker, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Homecoming

B. Caryl Churchill with Serious Money, Top Girls

C. Tom Stoppard with Equus, Amadeus

2. Among the best-known directors are: …

A. Sir John Gielgud

B. Sir Alec Guinness

C. Sir Peter Hall

3. The many British performers who enjoy international reputations include: …

A. Vanessa Redgrave

B. Trevor Nunn

C. Terry Hands

4. The Royal National Theatre stages …

A. the works of many talented new playwrights

B. a wide choice of modern and classical plays

C. plays mainly by Shakespeare and his contemporaries

5. The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the Central School of Speech and Drama and the Drama Centre are situated in …

A. Glasgow

B. Cardiff

C. London

IV. Answer the questions.

1. Why is London considered to be one of the world’s major centres for theatre?

2. What kinds of theatrical companies are based in London and other cities and towns?

3. How many companies are in receipt of subsidies from the Arts Council?

4. What contemporary British playwrights who have received international recognition are known to you? What are their famous works?

5. Whose musicals have been highly successful in Britain and overseas? What are his well-known examples?

6. Who are the best-known directors in Britain?

7. Can you give the names of the famous British performers who enjoy I international reputations?

8. On what bases are theatres rented or owned in Britain?

9. What are the most famous subsidized companies which occupy 15 theatres? What do they stage?

10. How do many commercially run and self-financing theatres make themselves profitable and successful with the public?

11. Where are people wanting to start their theatrical careers trained in England, Wales and Scotland? What are they trained for?

V. Fill in the blanks with prepositions and adverbs if necessary.

1. The same is true … his other performances.

2. Many Americans think the government shouldn’t interfere … culture and arts.

3. The Lincoln Center was paid … largely … gifts and donations.

4. Her brilliant singing attracted a lot of people … New York.

5. You can get half price tickets … the day of the play.

6. London is considered to be one of the world’s major center … theatres.

7. … what bases are theatres rented or owned … Britain?

8. This theatre has made itself profitable and successful … the public.

9. The musical is … truly American origin.

10. A great number of new plays have appeared … the stage.