B) Make up a similar situation (a visit to a concert, a variety theatre, a circus, etc.) for your fellow-students to present it in the form of a dialogue

XXIX. a) Read the text:

...Pauline Eraser had a few minutes to herself in her room while waiting for the time she was wanted on the stage. Suddenlyn the door flung open and a young girl, wearing a short brown tweed coat and dark green slacks darted in. Pauline knew at once she was an actress. She wasn't pretty, but she had a good stage face. "You're Pauline Fraser, aren't you?" cried the girl in admiration. Pauline smiled. "Yes, but who are you?" "Oh, you've never heard of me. I'm Ann Steward from the Rep* at Wanley. I hear Mr. Cheveril is going to stage his new play. I'd be delighted to get a part in it. I'm ready to do anything!" Pauline smiled at her. The girl went on: "Miss Fraser, you're great. I saw you in Mr. Cheveril's play 'The Wandering Light' three times. You were wonderful! But... er... would you mind if I say this?" Pauline was amused. "Probably. But go ahead!" "Well, at the end of the Second Act, when you learn that your lover is back and waiting for you, couldn't it he better to drop everything from your hands and then run out into the garden?" Pauline looked at the girl with interest. "Why, as a matter of fact I wanted to do it like that, only the producer wouldn't let me. Look here -- you are a real actress!" "I know I am," cried the girl, "but I could be a thousand times better if only I get a chance in a Cheveril play! Please, Miss Fraser, I don't want to be a nuisance, but I simply must talk with him." "I'm afraid he won't speak with you, but I'll try to persuade him. You'd better wait outside, he may come any moment." "Oh, Miss Fraser, you're a darling!" said Ann and went out.

*Rep. - repertory theatre.

Some minutes later Cheveril entered the room carrying his script. "We've made a little cut and the scene is all right now, Pauline. You'll be wanted on the stage in a minute or two."

"I'm ready, Martin. Oh! I guite forgot! There is a girl here who is eager to see you. She's with a local repertory company, and I shouldn't be surprised if she's quite a good actress. You'll see her, won't you?" Without turning Martin answered firmly: "No. I'm sorry, Pauline, but I'm fed up with young promising actresses." "But... but you must see her!" Pauline was reproachful. At that moment she was called to the stage and left the room.

Cheveril was looking through his script when he heard a young voice behind him: "Mr. Cheveril, I'm that young actress...!" "You had no right to come here. Will you please go?" He didn't even look at her. "But... but I've acted in lots of your plays - and loved them all!" "I don't care. Please, go out at once." There was a strange little pause. "You'll be sorry soon you said that..." The girl spoke with an odd certainty...

(After J. B. Priestley "A Story of the Theatre")

b) Determine the main idea of the extract. c) Make up a plan of the extract. d) Choose a suitable headline to the story from those suggested:

1) "Ann Looks for a Job"; 2) "Meeting a Famous Actress"; 3) "He was Fed Up!" 4) "Talent or... Chance?"; 5) "The Crash of Hopes".

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