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The Performing Arts Trivia Quiz

This has some hard questions on film, TV, opera and theatre. Some are UK-biased, because that's where I'm based. Sorry America! It was a round at a charity quiz I ran in London in November 2000. Thanks to Nancy A Hollenbaugh for her help.

A multiple-choice quiz by julesfromwales. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
julesfromwales

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
21,741

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
886

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In 1999, Jerry Hall took over a role from Kathleen Turner on the West End stage in London. A year later Ann Archer has taken on the same part. In which play? Hint

The Graduate

Closer

Death of a Salesman

Starlight Express

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which band is most closely associated with the rock opera 'Tommy'? Hint

The Beatles

The Who

The Rolling Stones

The Police

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which opera is set in and around a cigar factory? Hint

Gotterdammerung

Carmen

The Magic Flute

La Boheme

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who won the Best Actor Oscar (TM) at the 2000 Academy Awards (TM)? Hint

Clint Eastwood

Kevin Spacey

Tom Hanks

Bruce Willis

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Question 5 of 10

5. One of the following four statements gives a true fact about the difference between ancient Greek and Roman drama. Which one? Hint

Greeks only did tragedy, the Romans comedy

Violence was allowed on the Roman stage, but not Greek

Greeks used a fixed stage set, the Romans used moveable ones

Greeks always wore masks, but Romans didn't

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Question 6 of 10

6. What major change happened in English theatre around the time of the Restoration? Hint

Fireworks were first used

Women appeared on stage for the first time

Actors became professional

The King first visited the theatre

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which Shakespeare play was adapted for the screen as the sci-fi classic, 'Forbidden Planet'? Hint

A Midsummer Night's Dream

The Merchant of Venice

The Tempest

Hamlet

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Question 8 of 10

8. What village in Sussex, England holds an opera festival each year? Hint

Ringmer

Falmer

Glyndebourne

Angmering

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Question 9 of 10

9. What Japanese theatre style uses elaborate costume and make-up, with traditional music? Hint

Noh

Karaoke

Matsushita

Kabuki

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who writes the Britsh TV situation comedy The Royle Family? Hint

Ray Galton and Alan Simpson

Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash

Jimmy Perry and David Croft

David Baddiel and Frank Skinner

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1999, Jerry Hall took over a role from Kathleen Turner on the West End stage in London. A year later Ann Archer has taken on the same part. In which play?

Answer: The Graduate

There was a to-do in the British press because the role involved a nude scene, and given Britain's prudish nature, and the fact that both actresses are over 40, this was something to be shocked by, apparently.

2. Which band is most closely associated with the rock opera 'Tommy'?

Answer: The Who

Elton John featured in a pair of enormous boots. He wasn't wearing his wig at the time. Hands up anyone who didn't realise that the mat of ginger pubic hair attached to his scalp wasn't his natural barnet?

3. Which opera is set in and around a cigar factory?

Answer: Carmen

Oh, come on! That one was easy! It was updated as the musical Carmen Jones, recently re-made for TV with the lovely Beyonce Knowles in the title role.

4. Who won the Best Actor Oscar (TM) at the 2000 Academy Awards (TM)?

Answer: Kevin Spacey

5. One of the following four statements gives a true fact about the difference between ancient Greek and Roman drama. Which one?

Answer: Violence was allowed on the Roman stage, but not Greek

Presumably this limited the Theban plays' to five minutes each. 22 June 2001 - Gypsyqueen points out that I got the Greeks vs Romans attitude to violence the wrong way around. Thanks, although this would reinforce my throwaway line on the Theban plays!

6. What major change happened in English theatre around the time of the Restoration?

Answer: Women appeared on stage for the first time

Before that time female parts were taken by men or boys in costume. Some people say this is where theatre actors' reputation for being effeminate comes from.

7. Which Shakespeare play was adapted for the screen as the sci-fi classic, 'Forbidden Planet'?

Answer: The Tempest

8. What village in Sussex, England holds an opera festival each year?

Answer: Glyndebourne

Sorry, non-UK residents and non-opera buffs may find this one impossible. Still, if they were all easy it would be boring, wouldn't it?

9. What Japanese theatre style uses elaborate costume and make-up, with traditional music?

Answer: Kabuki

Like all questions, this one is hard if you don't know the answer, but I put two (hopefully) obvious red herrings in to make it a bit easier. Matsushita is a Japanese corporation that owns the Panasonic brand among {others;} karaoke is the style of singing along to a backing track popular in clubs and bars worldwide.

This leaves two possible answers that both relate to theatre, but Noh actors all wear masks, so no make-up is needed.

10. Who writes the Britsh TV situation comedy The Royle Family?

Answer: Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash

Galton and Simpson wrote Steptoe and {Son;} Perry and Croft churned out loads of stuff like Dad's Army, Are You Being Served, Allo Allo, {etc.;} and as far as I know Baddiel and Skinner never wrote a sitcom (but are still funnny). American visitors may not know this one yet, but fear not, as I think the rights have been bought by one of your networks to adapt it for hte US.

Source: Author julesfromwales

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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