Revue Musicals

Revue Musicals What Type of Musical is a Revue? ChaptersRevue Musicals’ Fascinating HistoryRevue Musicals in Popular CultureThe New Stage for Revue MusicalsYour Best Chance to See A Musical RevueSince the early days of human civilisation, music has featured in stage shows to underscore the story’s events or bring to light a character’s motivations or thoughts.Often, such a chorus was an integral part of the show, one which, if omitted would leave the audience scratching their heads over some aspect of the story.Those ancient songs set the stage for musical theatre… if you’ll pardon the pun.The earliest examples of stage musicals usually revolved around a story. The songs â€" sung by the actors rather than a separate body on a side stage or in a gallery, were not so much an aside to the audience as an expression of the characters’ emotion or longings.Obviously, such shows had to follow a script; likewise, the music and lyrics were written specifically for the show.More recently in the history of musical theater, such so ngs made their way onto the airwaves and became hits in their own right.  Memory, from the musical Cats (written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, in case you didn’t know) is a prime example of a show tune going mainstream.For the most part, musicals of all types follow that long-established formula: story, scoring, acting… to some measure of fame.The revue musical, however, is a breed apart. For one, there tends to be a deficit of story in favour of a varied performance consisting of singing, dancing and acting out sketches.It is quite possible you’ve been exposed to such a show but maybe just didn’t realise it at the time.That is why your Superprof now puts down the opera glasses to put revue musicals in the spotlight. CarlActing Teacher 5.00 (5) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaActing Teacher 5.00 (8) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ElifActing Teacher 5.00 (10) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CalumActing Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1s t lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChristopherActing Teacher 5.00 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriActing Teacher 5.00 (8) £85/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielActing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CiaranActing Teacher 5.00 (5) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRevue Musicals’ Fascinating History You shouldn't expect conservatory-trained vocals during a revue, it will be more of a music hall type performance! Image by James Brocka from PixabayRevues are the vaudeville of the well-to-do.Historically, stage entertainment catered to all levels of society: the rich had opera and, for their lighter entertainment needs, the operetta, which tended toward the comical. At the very least, it was certainly more lighthearted than regular opera fare.Meanwhile, the lower echelons of society enjoyed ribald burlesque and campy, risqué vaudeville shows which, themselves, were comparable to operetta for their light tones, with a touch of irreverence thrown in for extra measure.While we in Great Britain pretty much maintained the revue musical’s format and traditions, when such fare arrived on American shores, it, like its Vaudevillian cousin, underwent substantial changes.Whether in Europe, in North America or on our lovely isle, the revue as a form of entertainment became immensely popular .So much so that, while early cinema goers could get tickets to a show for a few pennies, revue tickets commanded several pounds… and people paid!In the purest sense, the shows were disjointed: a short monologue or comedy sketch followed maybe by dancing girls; their number segued into song and the whole cycle repeated.If they did have an overarching theme, it was satire, with public persons or current events often the target of the shows’ derision.Big names from the genre’s Golden Age, from just after the First World War until the Great Depression include:Yvette Guilbert: a French revue performerMaurice Chevalier: a French entertainer who found fame at London’s Palace TheatreFlorenz ‘Flo’ Ziegfield: producer of the Ziegfeld Follies â€" the top Broadway revue productionsEddie Cantor, the Apostle of Pep, a multi-talented comedian, dancer and singerAnna Held found her fame through Ziegfeld’s FolliesW. C. Fields rose to prominence as a juggler in a revueThe Marx Brothers: before they found fame on the silver screen, they were wildly successful VaudevilliansYou might see, by that list of names, that being a revue artist demanded more than just one skill; comedic timing and a visual talent â€" in W. C. Field’s case, juggling were also necessary because, more than anything, a revue was a visual treat.In the US, Hellzapoppin is a particularly good example of such a revue.The show revolved sight gags and slapstick, with less emphasis placed on scantily clad females and saucy dances.Remarkably, this show was constantly revised to remain relevant; for instance, when it played in 1944, it depicted Mussolini in blackface while American president Roosevelt, normally so eloquent, uttered nothing but gibberish.Revues were grand fun but, unfortunately, after the Second World War, with the emergence of cinema, radio and television, the revue was forced to retreat from centre-stage, back to smaller venues such as nightclubs and improvisation theatres.Find out ho w revue musicals compare with the most elemental of Broadway musicals: the concept musical.Revue Musicals in Popular Culture One very popular circus troupe is often mistaken for a revue show because it features adaptations of popular stories and lots of visuals, set to music Image by Michelle Maria from PixabayA musical revue relies on performers’ or groups’ individual talents. That means that they are not choreographed as other musicals might be, nor are the services of a playwright required, even though there are spoken lines.Remember: a revue musical does not tell a story.Obviously, within those parameters, there is not much room for the typical activities and artistic guidance that any other musical demands: writer, choreographer, lyricist, set designer… even more telling is the difference in the terms identifying such a show’s ‘master’.A book musical’s head honcho is called a director; a revue producer is known as an impresario.For the most part, today’s musical revues have done away with the sketches and physical aspects like slapstick, and they no longer necessarily draw on satire to entertain. Instead, they may comprise of a single composer’s work.Side by Side by Sondheim is a prime example of such a musical revue.The title itself is a play on the title of a Sondheim song from the 70s musical comedy, Company, for which Mr Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics.Side by Side by Sondheim is a showcase of the vast body of music by one of the most renown and prolific composers in theatre history. In a departure from traditional musical theater style, a narrator recounts why and how Mr Sondheim wrote a song.The show was nominated for a Tony Award for its Broadway production; in London, it was nominated for a Lawrence Olivier Award.Even though this show is rather dated, there are occasional performances, most recently in 2012, in Sidney.Unlike film musicals that become Broadway shows â€" films like The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast that you can stream or enjoy on DVD, revue musicals do not generally translate well to the small screen.Where or how would you be most likely to catch a revue today?The New Stage for Revue MusicalsToday, revues have found their home on school stages.If you’ve ever seen the film Mr Holland’s Opus, you might remember that, due to budget cuts, the schools’ faculty music department opted to do a Gershwin revue.You might know that George and Ira Gershwin wrote such gems as An American in Paris, Rhapsody in Blue and I Got Rhythm.If you are a Glee fan, you’ve probably heard their mashups â€" of songs, themes or genres, which were often implied to become the school’s end of year show.Are you noticing a theme, here?Common in Canada, Norway and Denmark as well as UK schools, they feature popular songs with lyrics revised to express (satirical views of) current events or of matters relating to student life.These shows are in no way theatrical; they are meant for student entertainment, after all! And, you would be more likely to groan ‘Mamma Mia!’ because of the sheer silliness than compare such fare to that sma sh Broadway musical.Still, they are great fun, even though songs featured in such revues seldom are heard beyond the stage they are performed on.Unlike jukebox musicals, where the music is well-known… Don't look to a theatre company to put on a revue; try your local medical school instead! Image by Michael Drummond from PixabayYour Best Chance to See A Musical RevueIt is quite unfortunate that the revue musical in its original form is all but gone but, if you’re bemoaning the fact that you never had the chance to catch Kander and Ebb’s But The World Goes Round…Rest assured that there is no need to moan just yet.There is a longstanding tradition for students of the medical, legal and veterinary professions to stage a revue.Even better, especially if you are a musical theatre aficionado: it is a revue in the purest sense, complete with sketches, parodies and, of course, the usual song and dance.Funny, that. You would think it would be a school of music that would put on such musical comedies, wouldn’t you?So popular are these shows that London’s five United Hospitals medical schools compete against each other every year, in an event called the UH Revue â€" sort of a monste r, comedic face-off, with the most outrageous group taking the top prize.If you’re hoping to buy tickets but are wondering which school’s show to find tickets for, consider this: both The MD’s Comedy Revue and the St George’s troupe have taken top prize six times apiece.What if you’re nowhere near London but you still want to witness such a music circus? You’re in luck!Do you have a school of veterinary medicine or a law school anywhere around? If so, there is a good bet that they are rehearsing their revue right now!Don’t forget to check your local university medical programme; they’re probably harbouring a creative team or two who are getting ready to put on their show soon…If all else fails, you can head to The Fringe for the music theatre you crave.Granted, The Fringe is more of a spectacle than a theatre festival; maybe that is why the Birmingham Medics Revues, the Cambridge Medics Revue and the MD’s Comedy Revue fell so at home performing there.Mind you, we don’t just mean the Edinburgh Fringe; the Brighton Fringe, the Windsor Fringe and the Buxton Fringe all regale audiences yearly with a new musical revue.Wouldn’t you like to catch one… or would you prefer tickets to a rock musical?

How To Navigate Russian Grammar

How To Navigate Russian Grammar Basic Russian Grammar for Beginners ChaptersVerbs in RussianSome Basic Russian VerbsBuilding Russian SentencesUsing Games to Learn RussianFind Russian Lessons Near YouEager to start learning Russian and find out more about the land of the Tsars, maybe even take a trip to Moscow or St. Petersburg? Learn to read Tolstoy or Pushkin or other greats of Russian literature in the original language?Wonderful! This Slavic language is spoken by about 154 million people worldwide, and while at first, it may seem daunting to learn a whole new alphabet, Russian grammar, while quite different from English in many ways, is in others also much simpler.So once you have mastered the Cyrillic alphabet and learned a few basic Russian words and phrases, it’s time to study the core of the Russian sentences and how to build them - and how to continue your Russian lessons London and make learning Russian fun!EditAspectGroup lessons Private tutorTimeforce you to take time to learn - great if you always have an excuse for rescheduling.adapt t o your schedule if your job doesn’t leave you time off at the same time every week.TeachingStrict curriculums and set exercises. Wonderful if you tend to go off on tangents when learning.Adaptable curriculum that lets you advance at your own pace. Perfect if you find learning a language difficult.Feedback. You can learn from the questions other students ask - the ones you didn’t realise you needed to ask, too.Your teacher will help you ferret out and work on your weak points.Motivation.Other students are in the boat as you. You will have a support structure and study buddies if you revise best in a group.Your teacher will notice a lack of motivation and help you overcome it by adapting their teaching style or offering a mix of games and study.Missing a lesson.You’ll have to catch up!No need to make up that lesson since it simply didn’t take place. Continue where you left off when you see your Russian tutor again.With the help of Russian language tutors, you can learn how to read this sign. Photo credit: Ilya Khuroshvili on VisualHuntFinding Russian teachersAssuming you live somewhere where Russian is not a popular language to learn and you need a private tutor. Where can you find one?Here are a few tips:Is there a university near you? If so, you can look for Russian private tutors either at the Russian faculty if they have one, or simply go around campus putting up leaflets looking for a Russian native speaker. Russians studying in the UK may be eager to earn a few extra pounds by teaching you their language and culture!Is there a Russian community in your town or near it? Look for Russian Orthodox churches online and contact them to see if it’s all right for you to put a leaflet on their message board, or if the priest might recommend someone to you.Or look online! Here at Superprof, we have hundreds of Russian tutors eager to give you private lessons at home or via Skype.Check out our platform for the best  Russian teacher.With these tips, you are primed and ready to take the leap and improve your listening comprehension and accent at a more advanced level, perhaps even with language immersion or a trip to Russia!

A New Perspective on Academic Success

A New Perspective on Academic Success Improving Academic Performance The average person probably believes that a critical key to success in life, particularly one’s academic life, is intrinsic intelligence as measured by IQ. Yes, most of would say, hard work matters a lot too, but at least in many academic situations, no amount of hard work can really make up for a lower level of raw intelligence or aptitude for certain types of academic or cognitive skills. Some of us are “math people” and some of us just aren’t, right? Not really. A large body of academic research has been developed over the past two decades which suggests that the above sentiment is fundamentally misguided; it’s much closer to wrong than right. And as Mark Twain once said, it’s not what we don’t know that gets us into trouble, “it’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.” In this “Ted Talk,” the popular author Malcom Gladwell explains how the story of David and Goliath, where David, a small, unarmed underdog carrying a few rocks, slays Goliah, a giant-like, fully armed warrior, is one gargantuan misconception and mischaracterization of the facts. For literally thousands of years, people have used the David vs. Goliath analogy to describe situations where a smaller, weaker, opponent with very low odds of success somehow miraculously pulls off a victory. If you watch the video, it turns out David may have been a sharp shooting, battle trained member of the artillery, firing rocks out of a sling with the force of a modern day revolver. Goliath, on the other hand, may have been a giant with a medical disorder that made him move slowly and suffer from double vision. In other words, David was the favorite. He was more likely to win. But consider this. When people misuse the “David vs. Goliath” analogy, it doesn’t actually matter that the original story might not be true. There certainly are many cases of “underdogs” who are underestimated and thus able to pull off a victory, so the analogy is still useful in helping people understand and frame situations the encounter in their lives. But, when parents and students believe that success in general, or even in certain classes or areas, is in large part pre-determined by IQ or natural aptitude, that can be a huge, debilitating problem that prevents students from realizing their potential. It leads to lower levels of effort, higher stress, and poor academic outcomes that the student believes were pre-determined, but which actually were not. Academic success is actually a very complicated process to understand, and much more in every student’s control than many parents and student seem to believe. In fact, your raw intelligence is somewhat “malleable” â€" it can improve over time. Most cognitive or “pure” academic skills (i.e., mathematic, reading comprehension, etc.), like those tested on the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT, which seem to correlate with IQ, can clearly be developed with practice. Even performance on IQ tests themselves can change over time (i.e., there is evidence that simply having more education seems to lead to improved IQ scores). And in any case, non-cognitive skills unrelated to IQ, like the ability to pay attention, be curious, plan ahead, and persevere through initial failure and adversity, may be what really lead to success in high school, college, and beyond, anyway. The academic research that supports the above points is generally very strong. But, our society’s general understanding of why some people succeed in school while others don’t has not kept up. The emphasis is still on IQ and aptitude, when it should be on practice and perseverance. There have been a variety of entertaining, insightful, and award winning books based on this research with titles like “The Talent Code” and “Brain Rules” and “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.” We feature some of these books on our virtual bookshelf. Each of these books, in its own way, tells part of the “story of academic success.” A parent or student, after reading one of these books, walks away with a few new insights and more tools to increase the odds of success in school, at work, and in life in general. There is a problem, however. The problem is that success is not easy to understand. The true story of academic success is a complex one. Even though it may not be true, it’s easy to understand the idea that your IQ in large part determines how well you perform in your math class. In fact, it’s even an excuse, or at least an explanation, for any given student’s average or worse performance. In that sense, it’s a belief that some may want to hold on to on some level. Particularly when you are starting from the above point of view, the idea that how well you perform is actually a function of your mindset about intelligence in general, your ability to pay attention, how you approach homework, how well you plan ahead, and how you deal with obstacles, etc. just seems hard to digest. Based on my understanding of the current research, I’d like to introduce a framework for understanding what leads to academic success. In future blog articles, we’ll explore each element of this framework. From my perspective, academic success is a function of: Recognizing that cognitive (math, reading comprehension) and non-cognitive (grit, work ethic, etc.) skills are equally important and complementary PLUS Developing the right mindset about intelligence and cognitive skills PLUS Practicing deliberately to build your cognitive skills PLUS Building non-cognitive character skills, like curiosity, determination, and perseverance PLUS Developing non-cognitive executive functioning skills, like the ability to focus, plan ahead, and self-monitor PLUS Bringing it all together through longer term, strategic educational planning To learn more about these topics, you can continue to read future articles on this blog, check out our virtual bookshelf, or sign up for our book summary distribution list, where we’ll systematically and concisely summarize some of the most important recent research on what really explains academic success. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'bf23a065-a3c9-4ac9-bab1-42400c7da48e', {});

Free practice SAT and ACT tests

Free practice SAT and ACT tests As we head into the holidays, just a friendly reminder that AJ Tutoring offers free practice SAT and ACT tests for current clients at our San Jose, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park offices.   Practice tests are offered most Saturday mornings at 8:30 am, and the tests are concluded by 12:30 pm.   The tests are administered and timed by one of AJ Tutorings test proctors, and tutors provide detailed feedback on test results.Practice SAT and ACT tests are an integral part of AJ Tutorings SAT and ACT prep programs.   Students who complete at least three full practice tests show better score improvement and feel more comfortable on the actual test.   Just like training for a marathon you wouldnt run the race without training for months beforehand! its vitally important to practice for the SAT and ACT marathon.   Each test takes close to 4 hours, which requires no small amount of concentration.   Make sure you have the right preparation by taking AJ Tutorings practice tests!For AJ Tutorings curr ent practice SAT and ACT test schedule at the San Jose, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park offices, please consult  our website.   If you would like to sign up for a practice test, please email info@ajtutoring.com or call (650) 331-3251.   Were looking forward to seeing you on a Saturday morning sometime soon!

Teaching abroad with your pet What you need to know

Teaching abroad with your pet What you need to know So, you want to teach English abroad? Even if the idea has only just now crossed your mind (or you’ve been dreaming of this plan for years), in all seriousness, living and teaching abroad is a wonderful, eye-opening and mind-broadening experience. If you have pets, though, that adds a whole new level of complexity to your planning. How do you bring them? And should you bring them? After all, taking your pet abroad is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Figure out whether moving abroad with your pet is a viable option. When making plans to teach abroad, even before you research pet entry requirements in your new country, it’s imperative that you consider every available option for your pet and carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each. Have a long and hard think about what’s really best for them. If the move is relatively short term (a year or two at, the most), you may want to consider leaving your pet at home, in trusted hands, if possible. Your pet’s health and well being should be considered above all else. The stress of flying can make pets ill. Conditions in the cargo hold of commercial jets are not always pet-friendly. Temperatures can fluctuate wildly, the noise can be terrifying to pets and the air pressure can drop at any time. There are also the practicalities to consider when you do make the move. In Asia, for example, pet-friendly accommodation can be difficult to find. In the UAE, dogs are banned from public areas and confined to designated dog parks. Some countries frown (or have an outright ban) on taking animals on public transportation. And depending on where you’re moving to (and from) an extreme climate can have a negative impact on your pet’s quality of life. Factors to consider when moving abroad with your pet. Most countries require some sort of entry permit for pets. The application process varies substantially from country to country. You’ll want to allow plenty of lead time in advance of the big move so you can be sure you’ve covered all your bases. If in doubt, then check whether your new country’s government website has a page detailing what you need to know about moving with your pet. Teaching in Europe with either a dog, cat or ferret, for example, is relatively straightforward. The days of drawn-out quarantines and indecipherable paperwork are long gone, thanks to something that sounds almost impossibly adorable - a pet passport! If your pet is another species, then national laws apply so you’ll need to do some more in-depth research into the pet regulations set by the country in Europe you’ll be teaching in. In Asia, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’re going to need your pet to be quarantined. You’ll also need to microchip and vaccinate your pet against rabies in Korea and Japan. While some countries ban snakes and birds altogether, others go one step further and impose bans of certain breeds of dogs. Check with the country’s consulate on whether they have laws in places restricting your dog’s breed. If you’ve decided to take your best friend with you, it’s also a good idea to research accessibility to pet services locally, like vets, animal hospitals, groomers and pet sitters. Is your pet’s food brand is readily available? Will your accommodation will come with a yard for your dog to roam in? Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Teaching overseas with your pet: A checklist of what to do. Because there are so many details to sort out and many different things to consider as you plan your move, you will want to be fully prepared every step of the way. Check out our tips below: Find a vet who specializes in pet relocation. Your current vet or state/government site might be able to point you in the right direction. If you’re based in the US, you’ll need an accredited vet to fill out an international health certificate for your pet. Get your documents in order. Pet Relocation has advice on transporting pets to different destinations overseas. If you’re coming from the US, you’ll need to get a health certificate from the US Department of Agriculture (USA). You’ll also want to bring a hard copy of your pet’s health records, to be on the safe side. Get your pet vaccinated and microchipped. Microchipping your pet is always recommended anyway, but many countries also require it. In Europe, for instance, you’ll need to get your pet decked out with an ISO microchip. You’ll need to redo your pet’s rabies vaccine at a specific time before you depart. Other immunizations you’ll need to for dogs include: Distemper Parvovirus Canine hepatitis Leptospirosis While cats will need the following vaccines ahead of time: Panleukopenia Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus Get a travel crate. Now’s the time to get your pet used to their travel crate. And check with the airline you’re flying with about whether to get a hard or soft-sided crate. Confirm any airline requirements. Every airline has their own set of policies in place when flying with pets. For instance, depending on the size of your dog and your destination, you might not be able to travel with your pet in the cabin. And as much as we hate to break it to you, some airlines don’t have the best track record when it comes to keeping pets safe. Oh, and no matter how tempted you are to sedate your dog for the flight, it’s really not advisable. Sedation can cause breathing difficulties. Set money aside for your pet ticket. Yes, air travel is now available to the furry masses. And some airlines even allow dogs to travel in the cabin, rather than the cargo hold. Either way, you will have to pay, although airlines do vary in their pricing structure for pets so you’ll need to check with them directly. If possible, try getting a direct, non-stop flight. And avoid holiday and weekend travel times like the plague. Also, have a think about the time of year you’re flying in. Is it extremely cold or hot? This can make conditions in the cargo hold harder on your pet. All set for you and your furry friend’s adventure teaching and traveling abroad? Be sure to check out these additional resources for new expat teachers: 5 teacher blogs to get you excited about teaching abroad How to avoid cold feet: The teach abroad edition Tax timeout: tax responsibilities for teachers heading overseas to teach

Paul Ryan Thinks What

Paul Ryan Thinks What Womens Health protester via http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/2010/04/tell-gov-bredesen-to-respect-womens.html Abortion is a very complicated topic due to various reasons such as religious opinions, scientific outlooks, and the specific situation of the female pregnant. Paul Ryan’s views on abortion are very extreme compared to many other republican candidates. Ryan thinks that abortion should be illegal, which is a common belief, but his view is even more extreme because he thinks abortions should be considered illegal even in situations of rape, incest, or in cases that jeopardize a woman’s health. Ryan is in favor of both the Protect Life Act and the Sanctity of Human Life Act. The Protect Life Act allows doctors and surgeons to deny a woman from an abortion in a federally funded hospital even in the case of needing to save her life.   The Sanctity of Human Life Act is a bill, which classifies fertilized eggs as humans. Its result is that it will result in criminalizing various kinds of birth controls as well as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Ryan’s views are not only extreme but also, does he understand what the repercussions of his actions can be? By trying to defund Planned Parenthood, contraceptives, and STD and cancer screenings for low-income women, he is not considering the effect this can have. The outcome will be an increase in teenage pregnancy, increases in STD’s, and a lower survival rate for cancer victims.   These are problems we have fought so hard against, so we must join together to protect women’s health rights.

ELS Language Centre, Malaysia

ELS Language Centre, Malaysia ELS Language Centre, Malaysia About ELS Malaysia ELS Malaysia was established in 1990 and is a franchise of the US-based ELS Language Centres. We specialise in teaching Academic English, test prep programmes such as TOEFL and IELTS and work place English. Since 1990, ELS Language Centres Malaysia, has built a reputation as being one of the best English language training providers with a network of instruction centres in Subang Jaya, Johor Bahru and ELS@UPM. In addition to top class teaching and learning facilities, we are dedicated to providing excellent student services. The ELS Intensive English Programme Certificate (CIEP) is recognised by many top Malaysian higher learning institutions. We teach English to more than 3,000 students a year. Among the awards ELS Malaysia has received include: Brand of the year award (2014-2015National Award) 5-Star Quality Standards Award (2015 MOE) Education Excellence Award (2015 NAPEI) Malaysia Language centre of the Year (2016 Frost Sullivan) View our Brochure