'Theatre' by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 22-24

Task I

To make a clean breast of sth – сделать чистосердечно
To tear sb limb from limb – перемывать кому-то кости
 A sleeping-draught снотворное
To and fro – взад и вперед
Curtain calls – поклон
Pull oneself together – собраться
Magnanimous – щедрый
To cramp one's style – мешать
Contrition – раскаяние
A succinct account of sth – краткое содержание
A bereavement- лишение
An austere and snug little town – аскетичный и уютный маленький город
To adhere to sth – придерживаться чего-то

Task VII

1. Why couldn't Julie take her troubles to Charles or Dolly as usual?
She thought it was simply unfair to Charles and it would hurt his feelings once again. As fir Dolly, Julia knew that she felt jealousy and didn’t want to tell her about her troubles because the relationships were getting colder.
2. How different was Charles's circle from that of Tom's?
Charles was the representative of high society.
3. Was Michael right when criticizing Julie's acting?
I think he was right because in that situatuin Julia’s emotions overwhelmed her and she lost control.
4. How did Julie react to her husband's criticism?
At first it was shocked by his criticize but that she realized that he was right.
5. How did the breakup with Tom influence Julie's attitude to Michael and Charles?
Julia decided ti give a chance to Charles. At the same time she played more attention to her husband and realized that for the last several years she behaved in such a way he didn’t deserved. She felt guilty in some way.
6. Why did Julie decide to spend the summer with her mother and aunt?
She wanted to relazx and make up her mind.
7. What kind of lifestyle did Aunt Carrie and Mrs Lambert have?
For Julia such life was quiet boring because every day was the same to another.
8. How did the old ladies treat Julie? How did they feel about her occupation?
They treated her well and with respect but they didn’t’ approve of her profession and life style on the whole.
9. How did Julie imagine Charles's love for her?
It was just another role for her, a little adventure which she didn’t take seriously.it was simply interesting for her to see Char;es’ reaction.
10. When in Paris, what did Julie mean when saying, 'I feel like a queen returning from an exile?'
She was happy to come back to her life style.

'Theatre' by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 19-21

Task I

an understudy – дублер
perfidy – измена
wanton temperament – своенравный темперамент
to cut the date – отменить встречу
an American conjurer –американский иллюзионист
to make a stab at acting in America –попытаться сделать актерскую карьеру в Америке
off the nail – быть навеселе
the R.A.D.A. – Королевская академия драмы
in point of fact – в действительности
insipid- безвкусный
hard as nails – в форме
for toffee – ни за что
be a sport – будь человеком
to beat about the bush – ходить вокруг да около
to feel all in – чувствовать себя в порядке
to give the air – не принять во внимание to put one's foot down – занять твердую позицию

Task IV


1. Under what circumstances did Roger get acquainted with? What kind of favour did he ask of Julie?
Tom got acquainted with Joan Denver while picking Jill and Joan after the showand then he asked Julia to give her a role.
2. Why did Julie feel she had lost Roger?
Although her life was full of different events and her career was still in the top, she began to feel that she had lost Tom because of his attitude and her own feelings. Sudeenly she realized that he didn’t need her at all as previously.
3. How did Tom react to Julie's plans to take her play to New York?
He supported her idea to develop her career and put ut on the next step in America.
4. What kind of new acquaintances and connections did Tom make through Julie?
It was his first experience when he got acquaintance with many representatives of high society through Julia.
5. How did Julie receive Joan Denver? 
She received Joan Denver the moment she had taken her last call.
6. How did Michael hear about Avice Crichton?
Tom told Michael.
7. Why does Maugham describe Julie's appearance at the Sunday night show as "beautifully timed?"
To prove how well known she was.
8. What impression did Avice Crichton and her acting produce on Julie?
She made not good impressions at all, she didn’t’t know even how to act.
9. Why did it irk Tom to have to come back with Julie after the Sunday night show?
He wanted to be at the party with Avice
10. What kind of relationship did Tom and Avice have?
He had strong feelings toward her, probably he even loved her while she obviously used him for her own purposes.

'Theatre' by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 15-18

Task I
condescending letter – снисходительное письмо
pearl studs – жемчужные запонки
peevish – возбужденный
make head or tail of it – ничего не понимать
fatuous irony – глупая ирония
to get back on sb – отделаться от кого-то
song and dance – сцена, скандал
to spend a lot on green fees – тратиться на аренду поля для гольфа
despicable – презренный
to give sb a treat – доставить кому либо удовольствие
to wheedle sb into –впутывать кого-то во что-то
prudishness – высокомерие
to take liberties with sb – вести себя развязно с кем-то
to grudge sb – завидовать
conspicuous – очевидный
to take the rough with the smooth – стойко переносить превратности судьбы
to have a joke up your sleeve – держать шутку наготове
to mortify sb – усмирять
disconcerted –смущенный

Task II

It won't hurt him to discover that I'm not all milk and honey. – This statement refers to Julia while she is thinking about Tom and revenge on him. She wants to prove that she is not weak willed.
I'm not the woman to desert a sinking ship. – This metaphor is used by Dolly, while talking to Michael about his wife, Julia, and how her love affairs with Tom could effect her career in the negative way.

Task III

Dolly de Vries was a widow. She was a short stout woman with a fine Jewish nose and fine Jewish eyes, a great deal of energy, a manner at once effusive and timid, and a somewhat virile air. She had a passion for the stage. When Julia and Michael had decided to try their luck in London Jimmie Langton, to whose rescue she had sometimes come when it looked as though he would be forced to close his repertory theatre, had written to her asking her to do what she could for them. She had seen Julia act in Middlepool. She gave parties so that the young actors might get to know managers, and asked them to stay at her grand house near Guildford, where they enjoyed a luxury they had never dreamt of. She did not much like Michael. Julia accepted the flowers with which Dolly de Vries filled her flat and her dressing-room, she was properly delighted with the presents she gave her, bags, vanity cases, brooches; but Dolly’s generosity was due to anything but admiration for her talent. When Michael went away to the war Dolly pressed her to come and live in her house in Montagu Square, but Julia, with protestations of extravagant gratitude, refused in such a way that Dolly, with a sigh and a tear, could only admire her the more. When Roger was born Julia asked her to be his godmother. She had a big fortune, more than that she knew a lot of famous people.

Task IV

Julia was very talented and she played so many roles and has become famous thanks for her will and hard work but not appearance as usual. It was a strange, immaterial personality that seemed to descend upon her and it did things through her that she did not know she was capable of doing.

Task V

1. Why did Julia offer Tom the money for servants' tips? Do you think she made the right decision?
Tom didn’t pay her any attention while they were in Taplow, so it was her revenge on him. She understood well enough that it was very painful for Tom such remaidance about money, attitude to him as a servant.
2. Did Julia manage to induce Tom to see her again after that?
Yes, Julia managed to induce Tom to see her again after that
3. Did Dolly believe that Julia didn't have a lover? Why?
No, Dolly didn’t believe that Julia didn’t have a lover because of the gossips.
4. Whom did Dolly finally decide to talk to about Julia's cheating?
She chose Michael. She had never liked Michael, but after all he was Julia's husband and it was her duty to tell him at least enough to make him put a stop to whatever was going on.
5. Why did Dolly not confess to Michael that she suspected Julia of having a love affair?
Dolly had no proof; she only had an intuition that she could not mistrust; she wanted to say yes, but she controlled it. The woman couldn’t give Julia away. Her husband might go and tell her and Julia would never speak to her again. He might have Julia watched and catch her out. No one could tell what might happen if she told the truth.
6. Why did Michael suggest buying Dolly's share out?
He thought the woman could suffer from Julia’s broken reputation.
7. What was the reason for Dolly's desperate jealousy?
She felt, lonely and unhappy.
8. How did Dolly try to convince Julia that Tom was not very discreet?
She said "You know how malicious people are. You've always led such a quiet, regular life. You've gone out so little, and then only with Michael or Charles Tamerley. He's different; of course everyone knows he's adored you for ages. It seems so funny that all of a sudden you should run around all over the place with a clerk in the firm that does your accounts." She tryied to explain that poor young tom couldn’t attract her attention as he didn’t have anything that’s why people spread a rumours.
9. Why couldn't Julia fall asleep after the lunch with Dolly?
Julia fell asleep, because so many gossipis about her and Tom and their possible love affairs.

Task VI

 When Tom gave back Julia money and her gifts, she thought that she could lose him. They talked on the phone and later he came to her. He couldn’t look at her suffering and continued the relationships with her. That was a new turn in their relationships. They began to go out and didn’t care about anything. Dolly de Vries heard rumors about them and tried to stop it, speaking about it with Michael. He didn’t believe her, but let Julia know about rumors. Julia invited Dolly for a talk. She tried to convince her that she loved Tom as her son’s good friend. But Dolly didn't believe her.

'Theatre' by W. S. Maugham. Chapter 14

Task I

on one excuse and another – то под одним предлогом, то под другим
to confess to oneself – признаться себе
that was all to the good – все было к лучшему
shrewd – проницательный, хитрый, умный
vanity – тщеславие, суета
 to have an affair with sb. – крутить с кем-либо роман
sallow - болезненный
to feel compassion for sb. – сочувствовать, сострадать
 eminent persons – знаменитые люди
to lay no claims on sb. – не предъявлять притязаний на кого - либо
to use all her arts of cajolery – использовать все свое умение льстить (умасливать)
stale food – залежалая еда
to overcome one's scruples – преодолеть сомнения
to find someone a trifle dull – считать кого-то глупой безделушкой
to have no inclination – не иметь склонности
a man of the world – светский человек
she was modest about herself – быть о себе скромного мнения
a smack in the face - пощечина
sulkily - мрачно
Julia's heart was wrung – сердце Джулии сжалось
chivalrous courtesy - рыцарский
a vile disposition – гнусный нрав
alacrity – готовность, рвение, живость
wistful - задумчивый
to act with great naturalness – поступать очень естественно
to make a scene – устраивать сцену
she was in a black rage – быть вне себя от ярости
she'd get even with him – она бы ужилась даже с ним
to rack one's brains – ломать голову

Task II



1. Was Julia really in love with Tom Fennell? And he?
Julia was really in love with him. She herself could hardly believe in it. And Tom Fennel was not in love in her.

2. How old was Tom? What did he do? Why was he a success with women?
Tom was 22. He was a highly-sexed young man and enjoyed sexual exercise. From stories that she had dragged out of him, Julia discovered that since he was seventeen he had had a great many women. He loved the act rather than the person. He looked upon it as the greatest lark in the world. And she could understand why he had so much success. There was something appealing in his slightness, his body was just skin and bone, that was why his clothes sat on him so well, and something charming in his clean freshness.

3. How can you characterize Roger? Where was he educated? What were his relations like with his parents? Did he know what he wanted to be? Did he want to go on the stage?
Roger was 17. He attended Eton. He was a nice-looking boy, with reddish hair and blue eyes, but that was the best you could say of him. He had neither his mother's vivacity and changing expression nor his father's beauty of feature. The relationship between him and the parents were rather cold. As the family,they didn't spent a lot of time together. Julia only acted a good mother, but really wasn't interested in her son's brining up. He did not yet know what he wanted to be. Both Julia and Michael had from the first been obsessed by the fear that he would go on the stage, but for this apparently he had no inclination.

4. How did Tom and Roger get on together?
Right from the begining they started to spend much time together. They were peers, that's why they easily found common language.

5. Was Julia as successful in the movies as in the theatre? Did she envy the film-stars?
She  was not successful in the movies. Her face on the stage so mobile and expressive for some reason lost on the screen, and after one trial she had with Michael's approval refused to accept any of the offers that were from time to time made her. She had got a good deal of useful publicity out of her dignified attitude. But Julia did not envy the film-stars; they came and went; she stayed.

6. Describe in detail how Julia managed to play different characters on the stage. What thrilled her? Why did she sometimes fell like God?
Julia was not aware that she deliberately observed people, but when she came to study a new part vague recollections surged up in her from she knew not where, and she found that she knew things about the character she was to represent that she had had no inkling of. It helped her to think of someone she knew or even someone she had seen in the street or at a party; she combined with this recollection her own personality, and thus built up a character founded on fact but enriched with her experience, her knowledge of technique and her amazing magnetism. People thought that she only acted during the two or three hours she was on the stage; they did not know that the character she was playing dwelt in the back of her mind all day long, when she was talking to others with all the appearance of attention, or in whatever business she was engaged.

7. How did Julia revenge herself on Tom?
Julia revenged on Tom by leaving some money in the envelope.

Task III

Tom's description:
- young, fresh and ingenuous
- his body was just skin and bone
- a highly-sexed young man
-  his clothes sat on him so well
 The author uses the repetition "young man"to show that Julia admired Tom’s youth and through it she remembered her times when she was a young woman.
Yes, Julia’s opinion changed. She realized that he was a womanizer.

Task IV

Julia:
- really beautiful eyebrows
- smiled charmingl
- acted with great naturalness
- a beautiful performance
- amazing magnetism
- the best-dressed woman in London

Michael:
- smiled in his friendly way
- extraordinarily kind
- good, friendly smile
 The author underlines that they were much older experiences than their son and Tom. And also we see the juxtoposition of Michael and a young man Tom.

Task V

Julia is characterized thorough the interior monologue. In her thoughts Julia sometimes uses vulgar words, which underline that she is a real actress. ('The blasted fool, why does he talk all that rot?”, “Gosh, I’m going down like a barrel of oysters')



Task VI


Julia had understood that she fell in love with Tom Fennel. She gave him a lot of expensive presents, as he was poor. And even invited him to spend holidays with her family. While in their house, Tom got on well with Julia’s son Roger, so he spent no time with her. She was hurt and revenged on him by sending him money to pay off servants.

'Theatre' by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 11-13

Task I

Aprofound contempt – глубокое презрение
To have first nights – играть в премьере
To be exemplary – быть примерным
A pattern of conjugal fidelity – образец супружеской верности
To separate – отделяться, разделять
Be ingenuous – быть простодушным
To cry almost at will – плакать почти по желанию
Common sense – здравый смысл
To elope with sb. – сбежать с кем-то
Preposterous – нелепый, абсурдный
Curtain calls – вызовы актера
Prudish – ханжеский, не в меру стыдливый
In for a penny, in for a pound - назвался груздем - полезай в кузов
This was all a put-up job – это была чистой воды махинация
Indecent - неприличный
In a flash – в мгновение ока
To take liberties with sb. - позволять себе вольности с кем-либо (по отношению к кому-либо)
A matinee – утренняя пора
Amiably – любезность, доброжелательность
Well-chosen words – хорошо отобранный слова
To have no sequel – не иметь продолжения
To erase the episode from her memory – стереть этот эпизод из памяти
Pleasant reveries sauntered through her mind – приятные грезы блуждали по ее разуму
Hectic flush – лихорадочный румянец
To see in the flesh – увидеть вживую
To hurt one's pride – задеть чью-то гордость
To have an inkling – намек, слабое подозрение
To pawn – закладывать, отдавать в залог

Task II 

1. How did Julia and Lord Tamerly get acquainted? Was Julia his mistress? What did Julia owe to Charles Tamerly?

Julia and Lord Tamerly got acquainted at a luncheon party. No, she wasn’t, though many people were sure that she was Charles Tamerley's mistress because of their close relationships. As they had close relationships, Julia could trust him.

2. Describe Julia's acting when Lord Tamerly declared his love to her. How can you prove that it was only make-believe? 

Julia burst out crying, as she could cry at will, it was one of her most telling accomplishments. Timing it perfectly, she raised her eyes till they met Charles's. With her mouth slightly open, with the look in her eyes of a child that had been deeply hurt the effect was unbearably pathetic. There is no doubt that it was only make-believe because she had already prepared her course of conduct for the declaration which she felt he would sooner or later bring himself to make. And before that converation Julia thought over possible ways of acting.

3. Why do you think Julia agreed to have tea with the young man? What was his name? Did Julia know it or not?
She agreed to have tea with the young man because it was something new and interesting in her daily routine. His name was Tom Fennel, but Julia did not know the name.

4. Was the young man as shy as he seemed to be?
At first, his behavior was predictable for her, but then, he turned out to be a very determined man, not shy at all.

5. How did he show his admiration for Julia? 
Tom told Juia that he had seen her in every play she had acted in since he was twelve years old. Also before their meeting he sent her flowers and invited to the diner. He pawned his watches to pay for her at the restaurant.

6. What feelings did Julia experience after the date with the young man? How did she act after that? How old was Julia at that time? What's your opinion of Julia's behaviour?
It was strange but at the same time funny for her. It was not the first time Julia was unfaithful to her husband, but Tom’s impudence and insistence which caused their intimacy, was undoubtedly new experience to Julia although she was already 46, but she felt as 26. I can't judge her, because I wasn't in her shoes.

7. Describe the episode of Julia's adventure on the train to Cannes. What was Julia's attitude towards this accident? Give quotations from the text and comment on them. What do you think of this adventure?
During her trip to Cannes which she made by train, she her acquainted with the man who told her that he was an attaché at the Spanish Embassy in Paris and was going down to Cannes for
Easter. After long conversation, there was intimacy between them. Next morning she couldn’t believe that it had happened with her, however she did care more about the safety of her jewelry rather than about the moral aspect of this night. Julia liked to remember this accident, because she considered it a bit funny and romantic. This is proved by the lines “It was an odd little adventure and Julia was enjoying It.” “But as time passed Julia's indignation was mitigated, and she had often thought of the adventure since with a good deal of pleasure.” To my mind, this is awful and disgusting to sleep with an unknown man and consider it to be amusing.

8. When did Julia see Tom Fennell again? Under what circumstances?
He called her after several days and she invited him to come to her dressing-room for tea.

9. What do you think attracted Julia to Tom? How old was he?
He was about  25. I think that his modesty, true feelings, youth and his inexperience attracted Julia.

10. Why do you think Tom was interested in grand people?
Because such life was too far and differed much from this he lived. And Julia was his idol.

11. Do you approve or disapprove of Julia's love affair with Tom Fennell?
I  disapprove Julia's love affair with Tom Fennell because she was unfaithful to her husband, she had a son, and what a model to follow could she be to him?

 

Task III

 

- But when she saw him, so slight, with his hectic flush and his blue eyes, so charmingly boyish, she felt a sudden pang
- She could have taken him in her arms then and there and kissed his blue eyes. She adored him.
- She found his slight awkwardness rather charming
- She had been as excited all the evening as a girl going to her first ball. She could not help thinking how absurd she was.
All these phrases shows that Julia liked this boy, she even thought that she fell in love with him.

 

Task IV

 

 Dame Ellen Terry (27 February 1847 – 21 July 1928) was an English stage actress who became the leading Shakespearean actress in Britain.

 Alfred Louis Charles de Musset-Pathay (11 December 1810 – 2 May 1857) was a French dramatist, poet, and novelist. Along with his poetry, he is known for writing La Confession d'un enfant du siècle (The Confession of a Child of the Century, autobiographical) from 1836.

George Farquhar (1677 – 29 April 1707) was an Irish dramatist. He is noted for his contributions to late Restoration comedy, particularly for his plays The Recruiting Officer (1706) and The Beaux' Stratagem (1707).

 

Task V

The source of this allusion is Botticelli’s picture “Venus Rising from the Sea”. On this canvas the artist represented the Neoplatonic idea of divine love in the form of a nude Venus. So, it underlines the birth of Julia’s love to Tom.

Task VI

 
When Julia got flowers from the young man, she recollected how Charles Tamerly fell in love with her, and how then they became close friends. Soon Julia was invited for tea with a young boy, Thomas Fennell, who had lunched with her and her husband. When she came to him, they made love and she fell in love with him. Then she remembered another episode of her unfaithfulness in the train, when she slept with a Spanish attaché. After that Tom came to her makeup room and they made love again. Then he invited her to a very expensive restaurant,where he paid for her but befire it he had to pawn his watch.

'Theatre' by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 7-10

Task I

Placidity-спокойствие

To make frantic scenes-закатывать безумные сцены
To give sb. a look of scorn- смотреть на кого-либо с презрением
Lavishness-щедрость
To know how to pull strings adroitly- знать, как пустить в ход связи
To fall out of love - разлюбить
Close-cropped hair - коротко стриженые волосы
To resist an inclination- удержаться от чего-то
Weather-beaten skin – обветренная кожа
Coltish grace-щенячья грация
To be on active service – находиться в действующей армии
Confinement - роды
To run a theatre – открыть театр
Effusive - несдержанный
To set one's mind to smth - стремиться к чему-либо,сосредоточиться на чем-либо
Disconcerting - сбивать с толку
It's a knockout - бесподобно
Amiability- дружелюбие
Affable manner- дружелюбные манеры
To exercise great ingenuity in (doing) smth. – проявить необыкновенную изобретательность в чем-то;
To be unperturbed – быть невозмутимым
Shrewdness - проницательность
To grizzle – ворчать
It's a mere commonplace- это банально
Exorbitant - безмерный
To be conciliatory – быть примирителем
To foster one's career – способствовать продвижению чьей-либо карьеры
Acumen - сообразительность
To have one's face lifted – подтянуть кожу лица
It's no good crying over spilt milk – после драки кулаками не машут
To have little flirtations – флиртовать,заводить небольшие интриги
Masseuse - массажистка
Gossip column – колонка светской хроники
The world of make-believe – мир притворства

Task II

1. What did Michael and Julia do when the war broke out?

When the war broke out Julia and Michael were acting.

2. Why do you think Michael enjoyed the war?

Michael enjoyed the war because he was liked in the army, despite the fact that he was an actor.

3. Do you think love is important for a successful family life?

I'm pretty sure, that without love there couldn't be a successful family life, because it's love which makes people take care about each other and think about other person's desires and needs.

4. How did it happen that Julia fell out of love with Michael?

One day Julia realized that he no longer smelt like a youth, he smelt like a man. he didn't attract her in sexual way. She found many defects in his behavior and habits.

5. How did Michael manage to find the money to rent a theatre? What was the theatre called? Who was in the partnership with him?

After the death of Michael's parents he inherited nearly four thousand pounds, and together with Julia's savings they had seven thousand. But the rent of theatres had gone up enormous. Finally the money was found by a rich woman who was interested in Julia. The theatre was called the Siddons Theatre. His partner was Dolly.

6. Why was Julia against Michael's taking up directing?

Michael had no fantasy and his ideas were commonplace. She was not sure that he would have authority over the cast.

7. What kind of director was Michael?

He was a very fair and hard-working. He paid Julia more than any other director had done, because he knew what she was capable of, and was familiar with her every inflection, every glance of her eyes, every graceful movement. He was too gentle to be director.
8. What irritated Julia in Michael more and more? How did he change in Julia's eyes?

His straight thin-lipped mouth irritated her. Moreover, he no longer smelt like a youth, he smelt like a man. Michael’s thrift, which in the early days had seemed an amusing, rather touching trait, now revolted her.

9. Why was Julia sad when she thought of her married life?

Julia was sad about her married life because her dreams didn't coincide with reality. Her love had died she felt that life had cheated her.

10. Why was Michael happier than he had been before?

Julia never made scenes any more. Michael was happier when he founded his own theatre.

11.Julia's dresser and maid was a Cockney, wasn't she? Please prove it using the examples from the text.

“It'd only fidget me to 'ave a lot of elephant's tusks in me mouth."
“I'm young enough to dress 'er. And maid 'er”.

12. Who was the unknown man who sent flowers to Julia? Why did she write him a thank you note?

It was Mr. Thomas Fennell. She wrote a note,because she was very polite and it was her principle to keep in touch with the public in order they would come to the theatre.

 Task III

- handsome
- the best-looking actor on the English stage
- a faithful husband
- friendly, good-humoured and kind
- he had no fantasy and his ideas were commonplace
- he took his beauty for granted
- prudent and all he wanted was admiration
- honest
- miserly

I like Michael for his honesty, prudence. He really knew his defects, and also he knew his best sides and made these things to work on him, like his allure. Also I liked his purposefulness, as he knew what he wanted and reached it.

Task IV
 
Julia and Michael were successful and rich enough to give his son the best education.
The public schools form the backbone of the independent sector. Such schools depend almost on the fees paid by their pupil’s parents. They are mostly boarding schools, where the pupils live as well as study. Ten public schools have produced one in eight of the professional elite who effectively run the country. The most famous public schools have a long history and tradition. It is often necessary to put a child's name on a waiting list at birth to be sure he or she gets a place. Children of wealthy or aristocratic families often go to the same public school as their parents and their grandparents. Eton is the best known of these schools.Eton College, often informally referred to as Eton, is a British independent boarding school located in Eton. It educates over 1,300 pupils, aged between 13 and 18 years and was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI.

Task V Summary

When the war broke down, Julia and Michael were acting. Michael volunteered while Julia wanted to be with him even at war, but she had to stay on the stage. She was the best actress in her generation and soon she became very rich. When Michael returned from the war Julia realized that she fell out of love with her husband because he changed so much. Soon Julia gave birth to their son Roger. And Michael decided to open his own theatre with a support of very rich old woman Mrs. de Vries. Being a director he was happier than had been earlier, while his wife was sad her love to her husband died. Later at the end of the play Julia received flowers from unknown Tomas Fennel.

'Theatre' by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 3-6

Task I

Asset- a major benefit,a useful quality;
A sumptuous supper- impressive, expensive,elegant;
Extravagance-the practice of spending a lot of money, especially more than you should,wastefulness;
Thrift- wise economy in the management of money and other resources; frugality
To remonstrate- criticize someone about something;
Equanimity- a calm mental state when you deal with a difficult situation;
At a loose end - in an uncertain or unsettled situation or positionon;
To jeopardize- to risk damaging or destroying something important;
Alacrity-cheerful readiness;
Susceptible to -someone whose emotions are easy to influence;
Obsequious -too keen to please someone, in a way that does not seem sincere;
A retainer -a servant, especially one who has worked for someone from a high social class for a long time

Task II

 Lord, what fools these mortals be (W. Shakespeare 'A Midsummer Night's Dream')
 ‘I could not love thee, dear, so much, loved I not honour more,’ he (Michael) quoted.
These quotes prove that the life of actors is full of their work. They have to learn a lot by heart, that's why many their thoughts they express with the help of quotations.


Task III

This metaphor refers to Michael's attitude to early marriage between the actors. To his mind, it can ruin their careers.

Task IV

'He was too modest to resent an unfavourable criticism.' -  Michael understood that he wasn't a good actor, he was in troupe because of his appearance.

'... after all he was born a gentleman.'  - Michael's parents wanted him to become a military man not an actor. That's why they were glad that he was brought up properly.

'He is going to be a flop' - Michael was going to America in order to earn money,but Jimmie was sure that he would get a failure.

'I suppose it's beastly of me,' she thought, 'but thank God, thank God.' - Julia's phrase. She was glad that Michael came back from America, but feeling bad about her happiness, because he failured.

Task VI

Interior monologue and 'the stream of consience' are employed in order the reader see the events through Julia's eyes.

Task VII



1. Who was Jimmie Langton and what role did he play in Julia's and Michael's lives?

Jimmie Langton was the head of the troupe in the theatre at Middlepool. He helped Julia to develop her talent and to become a good actress.also it was Jimmy who invited both of them in his theatre, and where Julia and Michael met.

2. When did Julia and Michael join the Middlepool Theatre Company?
They joined the theatre in different time. First it was Julia who was invited and a year later Michael joined to this theatre.

3. How did Julia and Michael get to know each other?
Michael played the boy and Julia played Regina. They heard one another their parts and after rehearsals lunched together to talk of them. Soon they were inseparable.

4. What did Julia like about Michael?
Michael was very handsome and had a good sense of humour. She liked him because he behaved like a gentleman.

5.What did Michael think of good looks and decent families?
The family status played greater importance for him than a man’s appearance.

6.How did Julia feel about her family?
She liked her family,she was proud of her father's profession.

7.What were Michael's views on marriage?
“I think an actor's a perfect fool to marry young. There are so many cases in which it absolutely ruins a chap's career. Especially if he marries an actress. He becomes a star and then she's a millstone round his neck”.

8.What did Michael read newspaper reviews for? Did Julia share his views?
He read all the articles in order to find out the information about him. He didn't pay attention to Julia's reviews.

9.Who invited Julia to Michael's house for the Holy Week?
It was Michael’s mother, Mrs. Gosselyn. But Michael asked to do it.

10.Did Michael's father meet Julia's expectations?
Julia found the Colonel not so alarming person than she had expected: he was civil, but reserved, generous. He was neither irritable nor oppressive. He read The Times, went to church on Sunday and accompanied his wife to tea-parties.According to Michael’s words his father was rather old-fashioned, and there were some things he couldn’t understand.

11.What impression did Julia produce on Michael's parents?
They liked Julia, as she acted a timid girl. That's why they liked her.

12.Was the proposal expected by Michael's parents?
Yes, his parents expected that.

13.What steps did Julia take upon finding Michael was leaving for America?
She asked Jimmie not to let Michael go.

14.What professional offer did Michael receive and who facilitated this?
Michael was offered a lucrative contract in America, and Jimmie, the head of the troupe, facilitated it.

15.Was Michael a success in America?
No, he failed in America.

16.Did Julia keep in touch with him while he was away?
Yes,she wrote constantly a lot of passionate letters to him,while he answered once a week, four pages exactly in a neat, precise hand.

17. Was Julia eager to meet Michael straight at the station?
She decided to meet him and booked two rooms in a hotel.

18.What were Michael's impressions after staying and working in America?
Michael was deeply mortified and depressed. He wasn't satisfied by his work in America.

19.What was Michael going to do in England and what were his prospects?
He saved money in America and he dreamed to open the theater, where Julia would play.

Task VIII
Summary:
 Julia remembered her youth,when she played in  Jimmie’s troupe. It was the place, where she met Michael and fell in love with him . They spent a lot of time together, but he he didn't take as a potential wife. But still they were very close. One day, Julia received a letter from Michael's mother, where she was invited to their house. During this visit Michael proposed to Julia. All the troupe got to know about it. Some time later  Michael went to America, but failed there and returned home. Julia was very happy, she met him and together they decided to go to London in search of fame and recognition.