听播客学英语 196 哑剧

 　　This podcast is about the expression “to join in”. If I join in some activity, I take part in it, or become involved in it with other people. Here are some examples:

　　Kevin and George are discussing football. Matt is also interested in football, so he joins in.

　　Joe and Sam, who are five years old, are playing with their toys. Sam’s little sister comes into the room. She wants to join in the boys’ game.

　　Joanne thinks that politicians do not care enough about the environment. So she organises a meeting and a demonstration¹. She asks Kevin to come. He says yes, he will join in the protest.

　　Note that we can say “join in (something)” like “join in a game” or “join in a discusssion”. Or we can just say “join in”, if it is obvious what activity we mean.

　　Here is a Christmas story. In Britain, Christmas is the time of year for pantomimes.

　　The pantomime, or “panto”, is a form of theatrical² entertainment – it is a sort of play, with music, and often with dancing as well. It is uniquely British – there is nothing quite like it in other countries. Most pantomimes are based on traditional stories – some are fairy stories found all over Europe, such as Cinderella or the Sleeping Beauty. A few are purely³ English in origin, such as Dick Whittington, the story of a poor boy who rises to become the Lord Mayor of London. Pantomime plots are strong and simple. There are heroes (goodies) such as Cinderella or Aladdin, who are beautiful, young and noble. There are black-hearted villains⁴ (baddies) like the wicked witch or the evil pirate chief. There are also several comic parts such as the ugly sisters in Cinderella. It is common for the main goodie to be played by a woman even if the character is male; and for several of the women’s parts to be played by men. The script is full of jokes, most of them dreadful, and some of them could not be repeated on a family podcast show such as this one. But the best bit is that the audience are expected to join in. We cheer the goodie. We boo and hiss⁵ whenever the baddie appears. We shout advice to the actors – “Look out. He’s behind you!” We join in the songs and laugh at the jokes, even the bad ones. The whole family – children, parents, grand-parents – have a wonderful evening.

　　Cinderella is on in Birmingham this Christmas. I must get tickets, so that we can all join in the fun.

1 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

2 theatrical   

adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的

参考例句：

• The final scene was dismayingly lacking in theatrical effect.最后一场缺乏戏剧效果，叫人失望。
• She always makes some theatrical gesture.她老在做些夸张的手势。

3 purely   

adv.纯粹地，完全地

参考例句：

• I helped him purely and simply out of friendship.我帮他纯粹是出于友情。
• This disproves the theory that children are purely imitative.这证明认为儿童只会单纯地模仿的理论是站不住脚的。

4 villains   

n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼

参考例句：

• The impression of villains was inescapable. 留下恶棍的印象是不可避免的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Some villains robbed the widow of the savings. 有几个歹徒将寡妇的积蓄劫走了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

5 hiss   

v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满

参考例句：

• We can hear the hiss of air escaping from a tire.我们能听到一只轮胎的嘶嘶漏气声。
• Don't hiss at the speaker.不要嘘演讲人。