Harry Potter stage show shortened due to rising costs
Level
a2
Topic
culture
Read this at a different level:a1b2c1
My friend Kofi loves the Harry Potter play. He saw it in London two years ago. He told me it was the best show of his life.
Last week, Kofi called me with some news. The show is going to change. For ten years, the play ran in two parts. But the producer said the cost of living made that impossible. So the show will reopen next month as one part.
Kofi was a little sad at first. He could not believe the two-part format was ending. But then he thought about it more. "You can still see the whole story," he said. "And tickets could be cheaper now."
Kofi wants to go back to London next year. He thinks he can buy a ticket for the new one-part show. I want to go with him.
Highlighted sentences show the grammar focus structure.
Key Vocabulary
show
/ʃoʊ/
A performance that people watch, for example in a theatre or on television.
We bought tickets to see a dance show at the local theatre.
producer
/prəˈduːsər/
A person who is in charge of making a film, play, or television programme.
The producer decided to make the film in a different city.
ticket
/ˈtɪkɪt/
A small piece of paper that shows you have paid to enter a place or travel somewhere.
She bought a ticket for the train to the city centre.
cheap
/tʃiːp/
Not costing a lot of money.
The market near my house sells cheap vegetables every morning.
reopen
/riːˈoʊpən/
To open again after being closed for a period of time.
The café will reopen next Monday after the repairs are finished.
| Image | Word | IPA | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
show | /ʃoʊ/ | A performance that people watch, for example in a theatre or on television. | We bought tickets to see a dance show at the local theatre. | |
producer | /prəˈduːsər/ | A person who is in charge of making a film, play, or television programme. | The producer decided to make the film in a different city. | |
ticket | /ˈtɪkɪt/ | A small piece of paper that shows you have paid to enter a place or travel somewhere. | She bought a ticket for the train to the city centre. | |
cheap | /tʃiːp/ | Not costing a lot of money. | The market near my house sells cheap vegetables every morning. | |
reopen | /riːˈoʊpən/ | To open again after being closed for a period of time. | The café will reopen next Monday after the repairs are finished. |
Grammar Spotlight
Modal Verbs — 'can' and 'could'
can / could + base verb
When do we use it?
- Use 'can' to talk about ability now — something you are able to do today.
- Use 'can' or 'could' to ask for permission or make a polite request — 'could' is more polite.
- Use 'could' to talk about ability in the past — something you were able to do before.
How is it formed?
can / could+base verb (no 'to')
The base verb never changes — no -s, -ed, or -ing
★can / could + base verb — always!
See it in action
Kofi can tell you all about the Harry Potter play — he saw it in London!
Could you get tickets for the show before it changes?
Two years ago, Kofi could see the play in two parts.
Can I borrow your book about Harry Potter?
Remember this
✗Kofi can to see the play again.
✓Kofi can see the play again.
Never use 'to' after 'can' or 'could'. Use the base verb directly.
✗She cans speak French very well.
✓She can speak French very well.
'Can' never takes an -s ending, even with he/she/it.
✗Could you telling me about the show?
✓Could you tell me about the show?
After 'could', use the base verb — not -ing or any other form.
Discussion Questions
- 1.
Did you ever see a play or a live show? What was it, and did you enjoy it?
- 2.
Are theatre tickets expensive in your country? Do many people go to see live shows where you live?
- 3.
Would you like to travel to another city to see a show? Where would you like to go?
Comprehension Questions
- 1.
Where did Kofi see the Harry Potter play?
- 2.
Why did the show change from two parts to one?
- 3.
When will the show reopen?
- 4.
How did Kofi feel at first about the change?
View answers for the comprehension questions
- 1.Kofi saw the Harry Potter play in London.
- 2.The producer said the cost of living made the two-part format impossible.
- 3.The show will reopen next month.
- 4.Kofi was a little sad at first. He could not believe the two-part format was ending.
Test your knowledge
Question 1Fill-in-the-blank
The ____ decided to make the film with a small team and a small budget.
Question 2Fill-in-the-blank
She put her bus ____ in her bag so she did not lose it.
Question 3Fill-in-the-blank
The shoes were very ____, so she bought two pairs.
Question 4Fill-in-the-blank
The library will ____ next week after the repairs are finished.
View answers for test your knowledge
- 1.producer
- 2.ticket
- 3.cheap
- 4.reopen
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