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Shakespeare Scene 2

Stephen and Ashlie continue their adventures in Stratford, Shakespeare's birthplace. Stephen finds out the truth about his new job and Ashlie meets her Romeo!

Preparation

Before you watch

Think about the following questions:

  • Have you ever seen one of Shakespeare's plays?
  • Would you like to visit Stratford?
  • Have you ever had a job you didn't like? What did you do about it?

Now, watch Stephen and Ashlie as they explore Stratford...

Transcript

Ashlie:  Wow, Stephen. Here we are, the RSC, the Royal Shakespeare Company. 

Stephen: It’s such a famous theatre. All the greatest actors have played Shakespeare here. I’m getting a bit nervous now.

Ashlie:  You’ll be fine, you’re so lucky - it is an amazing place to perform. I am getting a bit jealous now! Can I have your autograph?

Stephen: Stop it. I’d better go in and find the director. Are you going to be okay on your own?

Ashlie: Don’t be silly, I’ll be fine. I’ll just go and do the tourist thing around Stratford. I think I’ll visit the house where Shakespeare was born.

Stephen: Okay, I’ll call you later and tell you when the play starts.

Ashlie: Ah, I can’t wait to see you on stage. Good luck!

Stephen:  Thanks, bye.

Ashlie: Bye.

......

Romeo:  But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East and Juliet is the sun. Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon.

Ashlie:  Me?

Romeo: See how she leans her cheek upon her hand: O that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!

Ashlie: Oh, alright then. Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love. And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo: Shall I hear more? Shall I speak at this?

Ashlie:  Thanks, that was really good fun.

Romeo:  You were really good. You’re a great actress.

Ashlie: Thank you, I really enjoyed it. So do you always play Romeo and Juliet here?

Romeo: No, it varies, we might do Macbeth next.

Ashlie: I think I’d better go then before you ask me to be one of the witches. I have to go and meet my brother soon anyway. He’s performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Romeo: Lucky him. But you’re welcome here any time.

Ashlie:  Sorry. Hi, Stephen, you’ll never guess.  I actually got to do some Shakespeare too... I was Juliet. It was fantastic... So how’s it going? Well, do you want me to come over? Well, okay…

Romeo: What’s up?

Ashlie: It’s Stephen, I don’t think he wants me to go over and watch him, but - it must just be first night nerves. I think I’m going to go anyway and surprise him.

Romeo: OK. Bye!

Ashlie: Thanks again, then. Bye.

......

Ashlie:  Excuse me. Do you know when the show starts?

Stephen: Hi, Ash.

Ashlie: Stephen, you really are playing Shakespeare, then! Come on.

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

We use 'such' before nouns and 'so' before adjectives:

  • Stephen: It's such a famous theatre. ('theatre'=noun)   
  • Ashlie: You're so lucky. ('lucky'=adjective)

Exercise

Task 3

We use 'had better' to mean 'should'. For example:

  • Stephen: I'd better go in and find the director.
  • Ashlie: I think I'd better go.

Exercise

Topics

entertainment
No votes yet

Submitted by foofighters12 on Wed, 26/09/2018 - 08:35

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I would like to visit Stratford on day, I've had loads of lobs that I have hated treated and spoke to like crap I, took it for so long then left every job I have hated.

Submitted by quoc hung on Thu, 01/03/2018 - 05:03

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in task 3, 5th sentence "I'd better give her a call. Jola's not usually late", i think we can do it this way too "Jola's not usually late. I'd better give her a call". But it doesn't accept this answer.

Hello quoc hung,

Yes, you're right -- that is also correct. I've changed the sentence slightly so that there is only one possible correct answer.

Thanks very much for taking the time to point this out to us!

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team