8th grade. Unit 7. Lesson 6. If only you would listen ...

👉Communicative area: writing about the music event you've recently attended or watched on TV and sharing your impression about it

Look at the picture and describe in detail what kind of musical instruments the performers are playing. Use as many adjectives as possible and mind their order. Compare your description with the partner’s.

Where can you see such live performances?

Have you seen the Hollywood comedy “School of Rock”? 

 Do you like it? Why? / Why not?

Kate’s father has just suggested Kate and Alex should see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “School of Rock”. Look through the site information and discuss in pairs why he has chosen this event. 

Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with 1 interval 

Age restriction: 5+ 

Venue: Gillian Lynne Theatre,166 Drury Ln, Holborn, London WC2B 5PW 

Summary: “School of Rock” is a rock musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Julian Fellowes. Based on the 2003 fi lm of the same name, written by Mike White. The musical introduces Dewey Finn, an out-of-work rock singer, and guitarist who pretends (притворяется) to be a teacher of Music at a prestigious school. Dewey sees the musical talent in his students, so he forms a band of fi fth-graders to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands contest. 

What are people saying about the musical? 

Bobley49, West Yorshire, the UK: 

 This show is a total success. I love the fi lm, but the stage show is even better. And the four kids who play the instruments live are brilliant. Every aspect of the show was enjoyable. 

Anna37, Riga, Latvia: 

 To be honest, I haven’t been a huge admirer of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s talent until I saw School of Rock. This show is absolutely amazing! I’ve seen it twice and plan to watch it for the 3rd time next week with my twin daughters. I’ve even bought the CD so I can listen to the songs over and over again. The tunes are really catchy! The song “If only you would listen” changed my relations with daughters for the better, as now I am trying hard to fi nd out what they really want and they deeply appreciate1 this. 

Nigelg62, East Suss, the UK: 

 I took my wife and two granddaughters to the show. We all thought it was fantastic, totally uplifting (поднимающим настроение) and great entertainment for everyone. The music was played live and was of top quality. The repetitive idea of being more attentive to children and their dreams runs through the whole musical that makes it a piece of philosophical work. However, the intense energy and fast pace of the show didn’t give us any chance to feel bored! 

Are the musical viewers giving positive or negative feedback? 

Prove your answer to the partner.

Alex and Kate got interested in the musical. They are asking father the following questions. Read the information on the website again and find the answers. 

1. What film is the musical based on? 

2. Who is the scriptwriter (сценарист) of the musical / of the film? 

3. Where is the musical performed? 

4. How long does it last? 

5. How many intervals are there? 

6. Is the musical for little children? 

7. Why did the people enjoy the musical?

Recommend the music event you have recently attended or watched on TV. Write a short review following the plan. Write around 100 words. You should mention:

1. what kind of music event it was; 

2. where and when it took place; 

3. who you saw it with; 

4. some details which made the music event special to you; 

5. whether you enjoyed this music concert or not and why; 

6. whether you recommend it to your classmates or not and why.