(共31张PPT)
Unit 4
UNIT 4 Stage and screen
Look at the pictures of two performances and talk about their differences and similarities. Consider the following:
orchestra
costumes and masks
stage set
performers’ movements
sanxian
Orchestras in Peking Opera
jinghu
erhu
yueqin
sheng
The costumes, often the most recognisable feature of Peking Opera, are graceful, elegant, and brilliant in colour and design. They tell a character’s sex and status at first glance, marking off people from all walks of life, noble or humble, civil or military. Accessories(装饰物), including helmets and hats, constitute an integral part to bring about dramatic stage effects.
Stages in most Chinese theatres are square platforms exposed to the audience on three sides, even all sides sometimes. There are very few props on the stage, and they are mostly used symbolically. The most common ones include tables, sedan chairs, flags, horsewhips and weapons. Most attention is focused on the actors’ and actresses’ singing and movements.
The basic skills of Peking Opera include dance movements and special acrobatic movements while singing or reciting, which are necessary requirements mastered by all actors and actresses.
Opera (in the Western tradition)
An opera is like a play in which everything is sung instead of being spoken. It incorporates(包含)a number of the performing arts, such as acting, scenery, costume, and sometimes dance or ballet. The singers who sing and act out the story are on the stage, and the orchestra is in front of the stage but lower down, in the orchestra pit, so that the audience can see the stage.
Let’s watch some videos to experience their differences
To understand the main idea of the passage
To understand the change of the author’s feelings
To learn useful words and expressions in the passage
To express your own opinions about relative topics
When HAMLET meets PEKING OPERA
The Revenge of Prince Zidan
Hamlet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Prince Hamlet is called upon by the supernatural to take revenge upon his uncle, Claudius, who has murdered his brother the king, seized the throne and married Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother.
根据莎士比亚《哈姆雷特》改编
The Revenge of Prince Zidan
京剧版《王子复仇记》以中国化的形式把原著背景从丹麦搬到中国古代一个虚拟的“赤诚国”。剧中人物分别以中国姓氏命名:子丹(哈姆雷特)、姜戎(乔德鲁特)、殷缡(奥菲莉亚)等。剧情保留哈姆雷特复仇的主线和心理变化,剧中关于“生存还是毁灭,这是个问题”等经典独白也未作删改,保持戏剧框架的原貌,为唱、念、做、打提供足够的空间。
The Revenge of Prince Zidan is an adaption of Hamlet into Peking Opera by Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company. The plot follows that of Hamlet, with Prince Zidan taking revenge upon his evil uncle, who has murdered his father and married his mother. The production includes some of Shakespeare's famous lines, such as the “To be, or not to be” speech.
The main idea of the passage
The author’s writing purpose
The structure of the passage
The main idea of the passage
A. Hamlet is the most important play by Shakespeare.
B. Peking Opera is an art form that has a long history.
C. A brief introduction to the content of The Revenge of Prince Zidan.
D. Peking Opera uses different forms to convey the same theme of Hamlet.
The author’s writing purpose
A. To prove that Peking Opera is a better way to perform Hamlet.
B. To inform the readers how to perform Hamlet through Peking Opera.
C. To share the unique experience of seeing a Peking Opera version of Hamlet.
D. To make a comparison between Eastern and Western cultures.
The structure of the text
Part Ⅰ Para. _____
Part Ⅱ Para. _____
Part Ⅲ Para. _____
Before the performance
1-2
During the performance
3-4
After the performance
5
time
order
How the characters moved on the stage most impressed the author.
Read the passage and find out what aspects of Peking Opera most impressed the author.
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 5
A. The author’s good knowledge of
Hamlet
B. The author’s feelings while
watching the opera
C. A must-see of the Perking Opera
version of Hamlet
D. To find out whether Peking Opera
was easier to understand
E. The reasons for enjoying the
movements of the characters best
Match the main idea with its corresponding paragraph.
Decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).
1. “To be, or not to be” is from Hamlet. ( )
2. The author has seen several productions of Hamlet. ( )
3. Peking Opera started in the 17th century. ( )
4. Jinghu is an instrument with two strings. ( )
5. Some of the male voices were so high in the opera. ( )
T
T
F
T
F
6. Peking Opera transformed a small stage into the whole universe. ( )
7. The author’s favourite part of the show was the performers’ movements on stage. ( )
8. The author enjoyed The Revenge of Prince Zidan very much. ( )
T
T
T
Complete the chart with words and expressions from the passage.
Before the performance
_____________________
curious
He thought ____________________________.
He wondered if Peking Opera is easier than a Shakespeare play to understand.
During the performance
After the performance
THE REVENGE OF PRINCE ZIDAN
_________
impressed
________________________ were amazing.
The voices ____________________.
The stage _____________________.
The movements of the characters were ___________________.
He felt _______________________________
_____________________________________.
full of
confidence
he knew a lot about Hamlet.
surprised
The costumes and masks
sounded (really) unique
was (really) simple
(simply) incredible
the strong emotions of love, anger, fear and grief in the performance.
feelings
Reasons
Why does the author say “The Revenge of Prince Zidan ticks all the right boxes”
Because this show combines music, singing, drama, poetry and costume design with explosive effect. In the author’s opinion, this show is perfect and meets all his requirements.
ticks all the right boxes 事情发展如人所愿,一切顺利
Below is the summary of the text with some content missing. Choose the right item from the box and make the summary complete. Change the form when necessary.
combination, version, transform, instrument, Peking Opera
Having seen quite a few productions of Hamlet, I thought I had a good knowledge of it until the 1. ____________ came to town! To find out whether Peking Opera is easier than a Shakespeare play to understand, I just had to go and see The Revenge of Prince Zidan — the Peking Opera 2. ________ of Hamlet.
Peking Opera
version
Starting with an orchestra playing traditional Chinese 3. ___________, the opera brought a brand new sound to my Western ears. Besides, using different techniques, the opera 4. ___________ a small stage into the whole universe. It is a great 5. ___________ of music, singing, drama, poetry, and costume design with explosive effect.
combination, version, transform, instrument, Peking Opera
instruments
transformed
combination
Write a short passage about Peking Opera.