英语100篇精读荟萃(中级篇)22a
文章来源: 文章作者: 发布时间:2007-09-17 06:49 字体: [ ]  进入论坛
(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Passage Twenty-two (Pantomime)
Pantomimes like pageants1, need to be very well planned, and it is essential that initial organization should begin many weeks in advance of the production date. Pantomimes are nearly always divided into separate scenes, very often taking place in different countries or even in different centuries. It is therefore necessary that there should be an overall unity2 of design culminating in the grand finale. This latter is really just an excuse for visual effects, and for once the performers become merely cloths hangers3 on which to put elaborate garments.
The scene should be discussed at some length with the producer so that the background, which is decided4 upon, does not present impossibilities for the provision of costumes within the budget or insuperable making problems for the wardrobe. Because of the large numbers of costumes needed full use must be made of the cheapest materials available, such as tarlatan (thin, stiff, open-weave muslin) nets and inexpensive cottons and taffetas. Very often it is possible to pick up goods that have been substantially reduced in price as cheap lines either in the big stores or on stalls in street markets.
Costumes for pantomimes need to be imaginative, gay and fairly bold in conception-this does not mean that they need to be garish5. Usually in one scene there needs to be the flavor of what is newest at the moment in clothes. It is always a good idea to make use of a modern gimmick6 and to point it in some way if this can be conveniently fitted into the scheme. The audience comes to pantomime to have the eye feasted as much as for any other purpose, thus making a great chance for the designer to excel. Because of the very varied7 audience to be catered8 for there must be costumes to please patrons of all ages and delight the eyes of toddlers, teenagers, parents and grandparents.
Usually there is the chance for some country scene involving merry-making peasants in ginghams, stripes of chintzes. There may be a military or naval9 routine or some number emphasizing precision and calling for trim slick costumes. There is certain to be a ballet which is to look fairy-like or romantic and pretty and which may well need either classical or romantic tutus. The finale, which must be the most spectacular of all, is often set in a ballroom10 or palace where all the characters come together to make their final bows; and it is for this scene that the glitter of sequins and jewels, the sparkle of tinsel, the gold and silver materials and the waving plumes11 should be saved.
It may be helpful to examine the different characters and the various scenes in which they are likely to appear. They remain much the same in all pantomimes; the flavor varying according to the setting-so that a s\dash of the Orient, or the particular feeling of a historical epoch12 is added to the standard costume.

1.    Which word can best describe the final scene in pantomime?
[A]. Spectacular. [B]. Beautiful. [C]. Romantic. [D]. Sparkling.
2.    What is the best title for this passage?
[A]. How to Gain Success of a Pantomime.
[B]. The Most Important Factors in a Pantomime.
[C]. Pantomime needs to have a very-well.
[D]. How to Make Preparation for a Pantomime.
3.    What does paragraph two imply?
[A]. It implies actor and actress outnumber costume.
[B]. It implies costume costs too much.
[C]. It implies the funds available is on meager13 side.
[D]. It implies a good plan is necessary for a pantomime.
4.    The success of a pantomime lie in
[A]. well-planned preparation. [B]. excellent actors.
[C]. brilliant costume. [D]. harmony.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 pageants 2a20528523b0fea5361e375e619f694c     
n.盛装的游行( pageant的名词复数 );穿古代服装的游行;再现历史场景的娱乐活动;盛会
参考例句:
  • It is young people who favor holding Beauty pageants. 赞成举办选美的是年轻人。 来自互联网
  • Others say that there's a fine line between the pageants and sexual exploitation. 其他人说,选美和性剥削之间只有非常细微的界线。 来自互联网
2 unity 4kQwT     
n.团结,联合,统一;和睦,协调
参考例句:
  • When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结,并非一团和气。
  • We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前,我们必须加强团结。
3 hangers dd46ad2f9c3dd94d7942bc7d96c94e00     
n.衣架( hanger的名词复数 );挂耳
参考例句:
  • The singer was surrounded by the usual crowd of lackeys and hangers on. 那个歌手让那帮总是溜须拍马、前呼後拥的人给围住了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I want to put some of my good hangers in Grandpa's closet. 我想在爷爷的衣橱放几个好的衣架。 来自辞典例句
4 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
5 garish mfyzK     
adj.华丽而俗气的,华而不实的
参考例句:
  • This colour is bright but not garish.这颜色艳而不俗。
  • They climbed the garish purple-carpeted stairs.他们登上铺着俗艳的紫色地毯的楼梯。
6 gimmick Iefzy     
n.(为引人注意而搞的)小革新,小发明
参考例句:
  • He dismissed the event as just a publicity gimmick.他不理会这件事,只当它是一种宣传手法。
  • It is just a public relations gimmick.这只不过是一种公关伎俩。
7 varied giIw9     
adj.多样的,多变化的
参考例句:
  • The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
  • The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。
8 catered 89d616ab59cbf00e406e8778a3dcc0fc     
提供饮食及服务( cater的过去式和过去分词 ); 满足需要,适合
参考例句:
  • We catered for forty but only twenty came. 我们准备了40客饭菜,但只来了20个人。
  • They catered for everyone regardless of social rank. 他们为所有人服务而不计较其社会地位。
9 naval h1lyU     
adj.海军的,军舰的,船的
参考例句:
  • He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
  • The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。
10 ballroom SPTyA     
n.舞厅
参考例句:
  • The boss of the ballroom excused them the fee.舞厅老板给他们免费。
  • I go ballroom dancing twice a week.我一个星期跳两次交际舞。
11 plumes 15625acbfa4517aa1374a6f1f44be446     
羽毛( plume的名词复数 ); 羽毛饰; 羽毛状物; 升上空中的羽状物
参考例句:
  • The dancer wore a headdress of pink ostrich plumes. 那位舞蹈演员戴着粉色鸵鸟毛制作的头饰。
  • The plumes on her bonnet barely moved as she nodded. 她点点头,那帽子的羽毛在一个劲儿颤动。
12 epoch riTzw     
n.(新)时代;历元
参考例句:
  • The epoch of revolution creates great figures.革命时代造就伟大的人物。
  • We're at the end of the historical epoch,and at the dawn of another.我们正处在一个历史时代的末期,另一个历史时代的开端。
13 meager zB5xZ     
adj.缺乏的,不足的,瘦的
参考例句:
  • He could not support his family on his meager salary.他靠微薄的工资无法养家。
  • The two men and the woman grouped about the fire and began their meager meal.两个男人同一个女人围着火,开始吃起少得可怜的午饭。
TAG标签:
发表评论
请自觉遵守互联网相关的政策法规,严禁发布色情、暴力、反动的言论。
评价:
表情:
验证码:点击我更换图片