Carlos Acosta brings a Cuban twist to “The Nutcracker”

admin 2024年12月17日

Beginner

entertainment, entertainment - beginner

©REUTERS

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Have you ever watched a ballet performance?
Do you like learning about different cultures?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

director /dih-REK-ter/

[noun] – a person who is in charge of the artistic and technical aspects of a film, show, or performance
The director of the play worked closely with the actors to bring the script to life.

ballet /ba-LEY/

[noun] – a type of dancing where carefully organized movements tell a story or express an idea, or a theatre work that uses this type of dancing
She has been practicing ballet since she was five years old.

connection /kuh-NEK-shuhn/

[noun] – a relationship or bond between people, ideas, or things
They formed a strong connection after working together on the project.

face /feys/

[verb] – to encounter or deal with something, typically a challenge or obstacle
She had to face many difficulties in her career.

personal /PUR-suh-nl/

[adjective] – relating to an individual’s private life, identity, or feelings
She shared a personal story about her family during the meeting.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

Carlos Acosta, a famous dancer and director, has created a Cuban version of the famous ballet “The Nutcracker.” This new version, called “Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana,” is set in Cuba during the early 20th century on Christmas Eve, instead of the usual 1820s Germany. Acosta, who did not like ballet when he was a child, mixes ballet with Afro-Cuban dance and modern styles to make it different and fresh. The show has been very popular with younger audiences because of its cultural variety and exciting dance styles. Cuban dancers from Acosta’s own company, Acosta Danza, perform in the production, which is currently being shown at the Southbank Centre in London. This version shows Acosta’s deep connection to his Cuban roots. It highlights the challenges Cuba faced during hard times. Unlike the original “Nutcracker,” which is about a rich family, the story takes place in a simple home, showing everyday struggles. Acosta’s personal journey from a boy who did not like ballet to a ballet star adds emotion to the performance, making it a celebration of Cuban culture and strength.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

Carlos Acosta created a Cuban version of the ballet “Swan Lake.”
The performance of “Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana” is only for older audiences.
The new version of the ballet is being shown at the Southbank Centre in London.
The new version of “The Nutcracker” is set in Cuba during the early 20th century.
The story of the new version of “The Nutcracker” takes place in a simple home, not a rich family’s house.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table, then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

director

ballet

connection

faced

personal

The book gave insight into his __________ experiences growing up.
He __________ his fears and decided to climb the mountain.
She has always dreamed of becoming a __________ in the film industry.
After years of training, he finally performed his first solo __________ on stage.
He struggled to make a __________ with his new colleagues at the office.