Emma had always loved the theater. As a child, her grandmother used to take her to see plays every month. Those memories were some of her most precious. Now, at thirty-two years old, Emma worked as a marketing manager. Her job was demanding, and she rarely had time for entertainment. One Friday afternoon, her colleague Sarah approached her desk. 'I have two tickets for a play tonight,' Sarah said excitedly. 'My sister cannot come anymore. Would you like to join me?' Emma hesitated for a moment, looking at the pile of work on her desk. But then she remembered how long it had been since her last theater visit. 'Yes, I would love to!' Emma replied with a smile. Sarah told her that the play was called 'The Last Summer' and it was a drama. The show would start at eight o'clock at the Grand Theater downtown. Emma finished her work quickly and went home to change. She chose a dark blue dress and comfortable shoes. The Grand Theater was a beautiful old building with ornate decorations. Emma and Sarah met in front of the entrance at half past seven. There was already a long line of people waiting to enter. Emma noticed that many people were dressed elegantly for the occasion. The doors opened, and everyone slowly made their way inside. The lobby was impressive, with crystal chandeliers and red velvet curtains. Emma felt like she had stepped back in time. An usher in a black uniform checked their tickets and guided them to their seats. They had excellent seats in the fifth row, close to the stage. Emma looked around and admired the golden details on the walls. The ceiling was painted with beautiful scenes of angels and clouds. 'This theater is absolutely magnificent,' Emma whispered to Sarah. Sarah nodded in agreement, equally impressed by the surroundings. The lights slowly dimmed, and the audience became quiet. A sense of anticipation filled the air. The heavy red curtain rose slowly, revealing a simple stage set. The scene showed a living room with old furniture and family photographs. A woman in her sixties walked onto the stage, looking troubled. She was the main character, Margaret, a retired schoolteacher. The story was about her family gathering for one last summer at their old house. They were going to sell the house because Margaret could no longer maintain it alone. Soon, her three adult children arrived on stage, one after another. The eldest son, Thomas, was a successful businessman who rarely visited. The daughter, Elizabeth, was a caring nurse with two young children. The youngest son, Michael, was a struggling artist who never quite found his path. As the play progressed, old family conflicts began to surface. Thomas felt that he had always been pressured to be perfect. Elizabeth felt invisible, always overshadowed by her brothers. Michael felt like the family disappointment who could never meet expectations. The actors performed their roles with incredible emotion and skill. Emma found herself completely absorbed in the story. She recognized some of the family dynamics in her own life. During the intermission, Emma and Sarah went to the lobby for refreshments. They ordered two glasses of wine and discussed the first act. 'The actress playing Margaret is absolutely brilliant,' Sarah commented. 'I agree. Her performance brought tears to my eyes,' Emma replied. The second act began, and the family tensions reached their peak. A heated argument broke out between Thomas and Michael about money and respect. Elizabeth tried to mediate but ended up expressing her own frustrations. Margaret watched her children argue with a mixture of sadness and guilt. Then came the most powerful moment of the play. Margaret stood up and delivered a monologue about regret and love. She talked about how quickly life passes and how we often forget to say what matters. Her voice trembled with emotion as she confessed her own mistakes as a mother. The entire audience was silent, captivated by the raw honesty of her words. Emma felt a tear roll down her cheek. The play ended with the family embracing and deciding to keep the house after all. They realized that the house was more than just a building. It was the place where their memories lived, where love had grown despite all difficulties. As the curtain fell, the audience erupted in thunderous applause. People stood up from their seats, giving the actors a standing ovation. The actors came back on stage several times to bow and receive flowers. Emma clapped until her hands hurt, feeling deeply moved by the performance. After the show, Emma and Sarah walked out into the cool night air. The city streets were still busy with people leaving restaurants and cafes. 'Thank you so much for inviting me,' Emma said warmly to Sarah. 'I had forgotten how much I love live theater.' Sarah smiled and suggested they should make it a monthly tradition. Emma agreed enthusiastically, already looking forward to their next outing. On her way home, Emma thought about her own family. She had not visited her parents in several months. The play had reminded her how precious time with loved ones really is. When she got home, Emma immediately called her mother. They talked for almost an hour, catching up on each other's lives. Emma promised to visit them the following weekend. As she lay in bed that night, Emma smiled to herself. A simple evening at the theater had given her so much more than entertainment. It had given her perspective, emotion, and a renewed connection with her own life. She decided that from now on, she would make more time for the things she truly loved. Work was important, but so was living a full and meaningful life. The magic of that evening at the Grand Theater would stay with Emma for a long time. It had reminded her of the power of storytelling and human connection. And most importantly, it had brought joy back into her busy life.
English Story (B1)The Theater Play
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Emma, a busy marketing manager, accepts her colleague Sarah's invitation to see a play called 'The Last Summer' at the Grand Theater. The powerful drama about a family selling their old house deeply moves Emma, reminding her of the importance of family and the preciousness of time. After the show, she reconnects with her mother and promises to visit, realizing that life needs more than just work.
Translations in English
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What was the name of the play Emma went to see?
2
How did the play end?
3
Who was Margaret in the play?
4
What did Emma do after she got home from the theater?
Vocabulary
51 words from this story
