Details

Written by IELTS Mentor

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

Describe a worth watching theatrical performance.

You should say:

• what the play/performance was about
• where it took place
• how the acting and the quality of the production was

and explain why it was worth watching.

Model Answer 1:

Living in London is a wonderful experience, whether you are a local or a foreigner. Its vibrant multi-cultural society, fashion, food and nightlife would fascinate any girl like me, especially when she studies arts and music.  Anyway, while I like all these things, I also like the wonderful theatrical performances at some of the London theatres. Today, I would like to talk about one such theatrical performance that I enjoyed about a few months ago.

The name of this the theatrical show was “Les Miserables Musical” based on the novel by writer Victor Hugo published more than 156 years ago.  By the way, this novel is considered to be one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century which analyzes the French society of his time, by reasoning about good and evil, about law, politics, ethics, justice, and the religion.

Anyway, the show nineteenth-century France, during the events of the June 1832 insurrection, when Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, was seeking redemption after serving a nineteen-year prison term for stealing just a loaf of bread. Unable to find an honest job because of his past, Valjean decides to break his parole in hope of starting a new life under a false identity with the help of a bishop while suffering the relentless persecution of Inspector Javert over the years. Despite Jean Valjean’s lifelong struggle for redemption, police inspector Javert refuses to believe that Valjean can actually change his ways of life. In the end, Jean becomes an exemplary man who fights against misery and injustice and decides to take charge of Cosette, a little girl, which changed his life forever. This masterpiece of the musical theatre took place at the Sondheim Theatre, London.

Anyway, it was a 'worth watching theatrical performance' because the quality of the production and acting was superb. It was worth watching also because the show perfectly portrayed the real pictures behind the French revolution with the touch of class and realism, like no other shows, with a master class display of costumes, make-up and set design.

Sample Answer 2:

Three years ago I watched the play 'Romeo & Juliet' by William Shakespeare at the city theatre that I consider a worth watching theatrical performance. The play lasted for about 1 and a half hour and I as well as the 200 audiences of the play thoroughly enjoyed and acclaimed the play.

The city theatre is famous for quality performance by the top-class performers. The time when we heard that a team is coming from London to perform Romeo and Juliet, we planned to watch it. We knew very little about the actors and actresses but heard that they are quite popular in the theatrical world in London. After the play began I noticed a pin drop silence on the theatre except the performers' voices and background music. The costumes of the performers were just the way it should be. Their dresses, stage, music, their makeup, their accent, the passionate acting created an illusion of real Romeo-Juliet era. The play went on and the story continued as - "Two young people fall in love the moment they met but their families are bitter enemies. The relationship between Romeo & Juliet fueled the anger and bitterness of the two families. The two innocent lovers get caught in the middle of a trap."

The tragic end of their lives and the eternal victory of love described in Shakespeare's gorgeous language makes it a worth watching theatrical performance.

The professional and astounding acting, captivating dialogues, intense romantic tale, wrenching separation and the tragic twist of the tale make the play unforgettable and timeless. The production and acting were superb and highly acclaimed. I still remember a news article later on that acclaimed the actors, actresses of the London team and the superb professionalism and artistic production of a great play.

Tips for answering this cue card topic:

A theatrical performance refers to a live play performance by actors in front of the audiences. To answer this cue card try to remember a play you have watched in a theatre. If you have never watched such a live theatrical performance, try to visualise one and describe it.

You can either talk about a famous play that you watched in a theatre like a play written by a famous play writer (Shakespeare is most famous for his playwriting and his plays are performed almost everywhere). Alternatively, you can also talk about a play that was written by a play writer in your country or was made based on a historically significant event in your country.

The play is usually performed in a theatre or a big auditorium. Sometimes temporary theatres are made for the purpose. You should describe what play it was and who the play writer was. Then talk about your reason to go there and how much the ticket cost you (if it was not free).

Give a summary of the storyline and describe how the play went on. To give a thorough description of the topic in the due time, try to tell the story in 45 seconds and then make some comments from a critic’s point of view.

Since the cue card asks you to talk about a 'worth watching theatrical performance', you must mention that this was a very fantastic performance and the performances of the actors were highly appreciated. Relate the storyline with the significance of it and give reasons why you recommend others to watch it.
You should not mention that the play was not a good one to watch or it did not attract you that much because you are not talking about a theatrical performance rather you are talking about a worth watching theatrical performance.

For the question ‘who participated’ you can tell the name of some famous theatrical performers or can make a general statement that you do not know their names but you know that they are highly acclaimed performers.

For the question “The acting and quality of the production” you should praise the performance and mention some of the reason that made it a good play to watch. Some of you won’t have the understanding of the production of the play and yet make some general statements that the production was good, people praised the acting and production, it touched you and people were highly appraising the performance.

Finally, say that you enjoyed it very much and this was a very high-quality theatrical performance that you personally feel others should watch.

If you can answer this cue card, you would also be able to answer the following cue card topics:

1. Describe a live performance you have watched.
2. Describe a performance that you enjoyed.
3. Describe a public event or performance that you enjoyed very much.
 

• IELTS Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking
• Candidate Task Card

• Prev
• Next