Tasks for Chapters 1-2 "Theatre"

I. Explain in English or give definitions of and find contextual synonyms for the following words and phrases:

Complacency - a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements

 three times running - taking place three times

 filthy - disgustingly dirty, very unpleasant

 supercilious - behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others

 military bearing - the high level of military professionalism

 natural flamboyance – natural beauty, stylish, exiting person

stupendous - extremely impressive or large

 staggered - astonish or deeply shock

 natural homage - special respect

 entanglement - a complicated or compromising relationship or situation

 concubinage – 1) cohabitation without legal marriage 2) the state of living as a concubine

 languorous - If you describe an activity as languorous, you mean that it is lazy, relaxed, and not energetic, usually in a pleasant way. [LITERARY]

 flippant rejoinder - frivolous answer

 to risk smth - act in such a way as to bring about the possibility of (an unpleasant or unwelcome event)

 a quick study – to learn smth in a short period of time

II. Search for the allusions in the text. Define their type (literary, artistic, historical and others) and functions; explain their meaning.

Literary allusions:

William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His extant works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays,154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, the authorship of some of which is uncertain. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

Artistic allusions:

Sir Thomas Lawrence (13 April 1769 – 7 January 1830) was a leading English portrait painter and president of the Royal Academy. The author uses the name of this painter to highlight the pompousness and at the same time tenderness of the main character.

Jean-Marc Nattier (March 17, 1685 – November 7, 1766) was a French painter. He is noted for his portraits of the ladies of King Louis XV's court in classical mythological attire. He subsequently revived the genre of the allegorical portrait, in which a living person is depicted as a Greco-Roman goddess or other mythological figure. Nattier's graceful and charming portraits of court ladies in this mode were very fashionable
To my mind the author used this name in the chapter to show the beauty of Julia Lambert.

Sarah Siddons (1755 – 1831) was a Welsh actress, the best-known tragedienne of the 18th century. She was most famous for her portrayal of the Shakespearean character, Lady Macbeth, a character she made her own, and for famously fainting at the sight of the Elgin Marbles in London. 

Sarah Siddons was an important figure in the world of theatre. Julia always dreamed to play one of Shakespearean character, but that was not that her cup of tea.

John Philip Kemble (1757 – 1823)  was an English actor. His elder sister Sarah Siddons achieved fame with him on the stage of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He played a huge number of parts, including a large number of Shakespearean characters.

Benoît-Constant Coquelin ( 1841 – 1909), known as Coquelin aîné ("Coquelin the Eldest"), was a French actor, "one of the greatest theatrical figures of the age."

The author uses this allusion to draw a parallel between her and Julia’s talents and great careers.

Charles John Kean (1811-1868) was born at Waterford, Ireland, the son of the actor Edmund Kean. Charles Kean had early opportunities to play Shakespearian leads in London: Romeo (1829), Richard III (1830), Iago (1833) to his father's Othello, Othello and Hamlet (both 1838); in addition to which he undertook engagements in the provinces and America.
His name was used in the chapter 2 in order to show us how incredible and lofty actors felt then they were praised by their director Jimmie.

Historical allusions:

Sir Francis Robert Benson –  (4 November 1858 – 31 December 1939), commonly known as Frank Benson or F. R. Benson, was a British actor-manager. He founded his own company in 1883 and produced all but two of Shakespeare's plays.

The author uses these allusions to bring us nearer to the world of theatre, to make it brighter and clearer for us.

III. Using direct and indirect evidence from the text give character sketches of Julia Lambert and Michael Gosselyn.

Julia Lambert is the protagonist in the W.S. Maugham’s novel “Theatre”. She is 46, she had “a lovely figure” and big brown eyes, “she was fairly tall for a woman and she had long legs”,  “she had got an indiarubber face”. She is themost talented and famous actress in Britain. She was born in Jersey. Her father was a veterinary. Her Aunty, former actress, gave her the first lessons of actor's skill. In sixteen she has entered the Royal academy of the dramatics, but only Jimmie Langton made a real actress from her.
Speaking about her main traits of character“she wasn’t a brilliant conversationalist, but her eyes were so bright, her manner so intelligent”, “she was born actress”. She is an independent woman with a sense of humor and high self-esteem. Julia’s life is acting.
Julia’s actions and relations with people are fully determined by her profession. Julia never stays natural for people, she always acts, she uses her professional stunts in life. “Her timing was almost perfect”. She had a distinct articulation and chest voice. She had an ability to judge people and to understand the reasons of their actions.

Michael Gosselyn is another main character of Maugham’s novel “Theatre”. He is 52. “He had a very good figure, a great mass of curling chestnut hair and large deep blue eyes, a straight nose and small ears.” “The only thing that slightly spoiled him was the thinness of his mouth.” “He was six foot tall and he had a gallant bearing.””He was so handsome that it took your breath away.” He took his beauty for granted. ”He had an easy manner and he talked like a gentleman.” ‘He was the best- looking actor on the English stage.”He was proud of his money, of his wife and of himself. “His voice was a trifle thin.” “He was easy enough in ordinary dialogue.” A perfect husband.

IV. Summary:
Michael Gosselyn, fifty two year-old theater worker and his wife Julia, a famous actress, had a conversation. Michael introduced his new clerk to Julia. He added, that this guy was an admirer of Julia’s talent. They decided to invite young man to their house to have lunch with them, thought Michael and Julia didn’t know his name. After the end of lunch, actress signed her own photograph and presented it to the clerk. Then she started looking through her other photographs and recollect the past.

Julia was a born actress. She began playing at the age of twelve, and after some period of time she was noticed by Jimmie, a successful director, and invited to join his troupe. Michael, had met Jimmie Langton in the beginning of his career and also joined his troupe. Because of this and his appearance, Gossleyn became rather famous. The couple met in Jimmies troupe.