Going to the theatre

If we want to go to the theatre, we must buy tickets in the box office in advance – booking office or we can book the seats by phone before-hand. Another possibility is a subscription because the programme is usually scheduled in advance. The advantage of the subscription is that we needn´t worry about the tickets but there are also some disadvantages e.g. if we cannot visit the performance or we don´t like the programme. If we enter the theatre, we can be in lobby or in hall. But at first we must go to the cloakroom. The main parts of the theatre are a stage and an auditorium. These parts are divided by a curtain. It is usually beautifully painted. The curtain rises in the beginning of the performance. In the end of the performance the curtain falls down.

One of the main parts of the theatre is a stage. Some stages can be revolving. The setting includes scenery, costume and masks. The ground floor in the auditorium is called a pit. We can have a stall there. The stalls are in rows. There are boxes around the auditorium. There are an upper circle and gallery. If we sit in the upper circle or in the gallery and want to see actors in details, we can hire a opera glasses. Spectators can applaud or whistle a play off the stage at the end of the performance. The performance is divided into acts. Between two acts there is an interval. The spectators can have a smoke or they can go to the foyer. If the performance is a drama, actors and actresses play their roles. If it is an opera, there are singers and soloists who are accompanied by a chorus and an orchestra conducted by a conductor. If it is a ballet, the roles are played by ballet dancers and ballet ensemble.

The person, who must control the performance, is called the producer or director. Actors must rehearse the performance. The last rehearsal is called a dress rehearsal. When the play is played for the first time, it is a first night or opening night.