A. Useful adjectives for describing works and performances

That TV series is overrated. [not as good as people say]
The plot was so hackneyed! [done so often it is boring]
The play was disjointed and difficult to follow. [unconnected and not in a clear order]
The film Green Aliens from Mars was a bit far-fetched. [impossible to believe]
The play was a bit risqué, and some religious leaders criticised it. [against accepted social standards and likely to shock some people]
It was a gripping film from start to finish. [exciting and keeping your attention the whole time]
It was a harrowing documentary about war and refugee camps. [extremely upsetting]
It’s a moving story about a child whose mother dies. [making you feel pity or sadness]
What a truly memorable/unforgettable performance. [you remember it long after]
The ballerina’s performance was understated. [done or expressed in a simple but attractive style]
The play was long and tedious. [boring]
That new stand-up comedian is hilarious. [extremely funny]

B. Success and failure

The audience clearly loved the play – the applause was deafening. [clapping to show enjoyment]
So it’s not surprising that it got glowing reviews. [excellent reviews]
The audience called for several encores after his concert. [calls from the audience to perform some more]
She got a standing ovation as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. [the audience stood up and applauded]
Her latest album has already won three awards. [prizes/honours]
Sam Dell won the award for ‘Best up-and-coming actor’. [likely to become very successful]
The critics generally agree that her new symphony is a masterpiece. [very great work of art]
She has become typecast as a middle-aged mother in TV drama series. [always associated with that type of role]
His latest opera was panned/ slated by the critics, which is strange, since all his previous works have been universally lauded. [very negatively criticised / highly praised]
The play bombed in London’s West End, although it had been really successful in New York. [was a failure]
The show was booed on the first night. [got disapproving noises from the audience]
The new TV soap has turned out to be a total flop. [complete failure]
Novak was definitely miscast as the father in that film; he was very unconvincing. [was the wrong person for the role / not seeming real or true]

C. Nouns relating to performing

• Megan did well in the audition and is now busy going to rehearsals for the play. [short performance where actors show what they can do]
• I liked her interpretation of the song ‘Yesterday’. [way of understanding and performing it]
• I prefer the original version by the Beatles. [one of several performances that exist]
• None of the covers are as good, in my opinion. [versions of songs that are not the original]
• The actor’s portrayal of the mother in the film was very tender. [the picture she created]