The performance arts: reviews and critiques CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE ADVANCED

CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE ADVANCED

UNIT 20

The performance arts: reviews and critiques

A	Useful adjectives for describing works and performances That TV series is overrated. [not as good as people say] The plot was so hackneyed! [done so often it is boring] The play was disjointed and difficult to follow. [unconnected and not in a clear order] The film Green Aliens from Mars was a bit far-fetched. [impossible to believe] The play was a bit risqué, and some religious leaders criticised it. [/rɪˈskeɪ/ against accepted social standards and likely to shock some people] It was a gripping film from start to finish. [exciting and keeping your attention the whole time] It was a harrowing documentary about war and refugee camps. [extremely upsetting] It’s a moving story about a child whose mother dies. [making you feel pity or sadness] What a truly memorable/unforgettable performance. [you remember it long after] The ballerina’s performance was understated. [done or expressed in a simple but attractive style] The play was long and tedious. [boring] That new stand-up comedian is hilarious. [extremely funny] Language help The adjectives above can also be used about writing, e.g. The plot of the novel is far-fetched/hilarious/gripping, etc.
B	Success and failure The audience clearly loved the play – the applause was deafening. [clapping to show enjoyment] So it’s not surprising that it got glowing reviews. [excellent reviews] The audience called for several encores after his concert. [/ˈɒŋkɔːz/ calls from the audience to perform some more] She got a standing ovation as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. [the audience stood up and applauded at the end of the performance] Her latest album has already won three awards. [prizes/honours, e.g. ‘Best album of the Year’] Sam Dell won the award for ‘Best up-and-coming actor’. [likely to become very successful] The critics generally agree that her new symphony is a masterpiece. [very great work of art] She has become typecast as a middle-aged mother in TV drama series. [always associated with that type of role] His latest opera was panned/slated by the critics, which is strange, since all his previous works have been universally lauded. [very negatively criticised] [highly praised] The play bombed in London’s West End, although it had been really successful in New York. [was a failure] The show was booed on the first night. [got disapproving noises from the audience] The new TV soap has turned out to be a total flop. [complete failure] Novak was definitely miscast as the father in that film; he was very unconvincing. [was the wrong person for the role] [not seeming real or true]
C	Nouns relating to performing Megan did well in the audition and is now busy going to rehearsals for the play. [short performance where actors show what they can do, hoping to get a role] [practice performances] I liked her interpretation of the song ‘Yesterday’. [way of understanding and performing it] I prefer the original version by the Beatles. [one of several performances that exist] None of the covers are as good, in my opinion. [versions of songs that are not the original] The actor’s portrayal of the mother in the film was very tender. [the picture she created]

EXERCISES

20.1	Give an adjective from A which is opposite in meaning to the following words. 1 credible, believable ____________________________ 2 original, innovative ____________________________ 3 underrated ____________________________ 4 exaggerated ____________________________ 5 coherent, smooth-flowing ____________________________ 6 fascinating ____________________________
20.2	Now use other adjectives from A instead of the underlined words in these sentences. Make any other changes that are necessary. 1 The musical shocked some people because they thought it was immoral and was attacked by several politicians and religious figures. 2 Her dance performance was one of those you will never forget, simply marvellous. 3 I can’t remember the last time I saw such a film that keeps you in suspense and totally absorbed all the time. 4 It was a play that aroused very deep emotions in me. 5 It’s a film that is difficult to watch without getting very upset. 6 His first stand-up routine had the audience falling off their seats with laughter.
20.3	Fill the gaps in this paragraph with words from the opposite page. The first letter is given to help you. Two new musicals opened last week. The first, Dogs, turned out to be a total 1f__________________ . It was loudly 2b__________________ by the audience and 3p__________________ by critics, who had praise only for the male lead’s 4i__________________ of his role. The other show, Danger, has, however, received 5g__________________ reviews and has been given a standing 6o__________________ at every performance so far.
20.4	Read the text and underline the words or phrases that match the eight definitions. Use a dictionary if necessary. Cliffhanger not to be missed In this latest blockbuster cops-and-robbers movie from the Holdart Studios, budding Hollywood star Fletch Packline plays country-boy Ricky Smart, who gets involved with a gang of criminals intent upon stealing ten million dollars from a Chicago bank. Packline’s portrayal of the confused small-town boy caught up in big city crime is convincing, but Julia Fischer as his long-lost sister is somewhat miscast. Not a masterpiece, but it will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat 1 the way an actor creates a picture of a person 2 he/she is the wrong actor for that part 3 a film/book/play that keeps you in suspense 4 keep you in suspense / constantly excited 5 up-and-coming 6 a film which huge numbers of people will go and see 7 a police or crime theme 8 a very great work of art
20.5	Over to you Think about performances that you have seen. What words from this unit could you use to describe them or to talk about them?

ANSWER KEY

20.1 1 far-fetched 2 hackneyed 3 overrated 4 understated 5 disjointed 6 tedious 20.2 Suggested answers: 1 The musical was (rather/a bit) risqué and was attacked by several politicians and religious figures. (Risqué is often used with a modifier such as rather, very, a bit, etc.) 2 Her dance performance was memorable/unforgettable, simply marvellous. 3 I can’t remember the last time I saw such a gripping film. 4 It was a very/deeply moving play. 5 It’s a harrowing film. 6 His first stand-up routine was hilarious. 20.3 1 flop            4 interpretation 2 booed        5 glowing 3 panned      6 ovation 20.4 1 portrayal 2 miscast 3 cliffhanger 4 keep you on the edge of your seat 5 budding (like the buds of a flower, which will open up and grow) 6 blockbuster (film/movie) 7 cops-and-robbers 8 masterpiece