(共22张PPT)
Unit 4
Unit 4 Stage and screen
When HAMLET meets PEKING OPERA
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
DO YOU KNOW IT
Peking Opera usually combines music, vocal performance, mine, dance and acrobatics（杂技）.
Facial make-up is very important to the aesthetic（美学）of Peking Opera. The colours are rich and depict（描绘）different characters using colour symbolism.
Sheng
Dan
Chou
Jing
Roles in Peking Opera
sanxian
Orchestras in Peking Opera
jinghu
erhu
yueqin
sheng
1. Can you give a brief introduction to the story of
Hamlet What does the famous quote “To be, or not
to be” mean
2. What are the characteristics of Peking Opera What
representative works do you know
When HAMLET meets PEKING OPERA
I thought I knew a lot about Hamlet. As a high school student with English literature as one of my main subjects，I have to! Shakespeare’s Hamlet is probably the most important play by the most important writer in English. Almost everybody knows “To be，or not to be”，right Having seen quite a few productions of Hamlet and read the play many times，I was full of —until the Peking Opera came to town!
（Date） back to the 18th century，Peking Opera has over two hundred years of history. Does this mean it’s easier than a Shakespeare play （understand） To find out the answer，I just had to go and see The Revenge of Prince Zidan—the Peking Opera version of Hamlet.
Read the passage and find out what aspects of Peking Opera most impressed the author.
(Start) with an orchestra playing traditional Chinese instruments，the opera brought a (complete) new sound to my Western ears. At first，I thought what I (hear) was a violin，but later I learnt that it was an instrument with two strings (call) jinghu. Then，seeing the main characters come on stage，I was (surprise)! The costumes and masks were (amaze). The performers of course sang in Chinese，but the music，exaggerated movements and mime helped get the meanings to the audience. The voices themselves sounded really unique—some of the female voices were so high that I was sure they could break glass! And the stage was really simple：a decorated whip represented a horse，and a screen with Chinese characters，a study. Using such techniques，the opera had transformed a small stage the whole universe.
Easily my favourite part of the show was how the characters moved on stage. I had never seen Prince Hamlet do a backflip before! That was simply incredible. It was so dazzling and energetic that I wasn’t sure if the characters were performers or athletes! Everyone was clapping.
Before experiencing The Revenge of Prince Zidan，I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it. But，in fact，I was on the edge of my seat! Feeling the strong emotions of love，anger，fear and grief in the performance，I could easily recognise the theme of Hamlet. So，if you want to see a show that combines music，singing，drama，poetry and costume design with explosive effect，The Revenge of Prince Zidan ticks all the right boxes!
Complete the chart with words and expressions from the passage.
Before the perform-ance
________________
curious
He thought _______________ _________________.
He wondered if Peking Opera is easier than a Shakespeare play to understand.
During the perform-ance
After the perform-ance
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.
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
Choose the author’s purpose in writing the passage.
1. To prove that Peking Opera is a better way to
perform Hamlet.
2. To inform the readers how to perform Hamlet
through Peking Opera.
3. To share the unique experience of seeing a
Peking Opera version of Hamlet.
4. To make a comparison between Eastern and
Western cultures.
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
2. How could you help a friend from overseas understand Peking Opera
1. Write a summary for the reading text.
2. Write a short passage about Peking Opera.
