adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ANNAJANSKA is frankly a bravura piece.
actressnounUS /ˈæktrəs/
a female actor
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
Androcles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
ANNAJANSKA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANNAJANSKA is frankly a bravura piece.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
bravuranounUS /brəˈvjʊrə/
brilliant and showy technical skill
From this reading ANNAJANSKA is frankly a bravura piece.
briefadjectiveUS /briːf/
of short duration or distance
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
CharlesnounUS /tʃɑːrlz/
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
ColiseumnounUS /ˌkɑːləˈsiːəm/
an oval large stadium with tiers of seats; an arena in which contests and spectacles are held
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
condescendedverbUS /ˌkɑːndɪˈsendɪd/
past form of “condescend” — behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
designnounUS /dɪˈzaɪn/
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
deviseverbUS /dɪˈvaɪz/
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
disdainedverbUS /dɪsˈdeɪnd/
past form of “disdain” — look down on with disdain
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
elephantineadjectiveUS /ˌeləˈfæntiːn/
of great mass; huge and bulky
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
famousadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪməs/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
favoritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
franklyadverbUS /ˈfræŋkli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading ANNAJANSKA is frankly a bravura piece.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
helpedverbUS /helpt/
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ANNAJANSKA is frankly a bravura piece.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
JohnsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/
English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
JoshuanounUS /ˈdʒɑːʃuːə/
(Old Testament) Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land; best remembered for his destruction of Jericho
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
Lillah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
MannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
McCarthynounUS /məˈkɑːrθi/
United States satirical novelist and literary critic (1912-1989)
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
modernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
occasionsnounUS /əˈkeɪʒənz/
something you have to do
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
paintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
passableadjectiveUS /ˈpæsəbəl/
able to be passed or traversed or crossed
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
performernounUS /pərˈfɔːrmər/
an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
piecenounUS /piːs/
a separate part of a whole
From this reading ANNAJANSKA is frankly a bravura piece.
playsnounUS /pleɪz/
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
ReynoldsnounUS /ˈrenəldz/
English portrait painter and first president of the Royal Academy (1723-1792)
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
Ricketts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
sculpturenounUS /ˈskʌlptʃər/
a three-dimensional work of plastic art
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
seriousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriəs/
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
SiddonsnounUS /ˈsɪdənz/
English actress noted for her performances in Shakespearean roles (1755-1831)
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
SirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
sketchesnounUS /ˈsketʃəz/
plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
snatchverbUS /snætʃ/
to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
SupermannounUS /ˈsuːpərmən/
a person with great powers and abilities
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
theatrenounUS /ˈθiːətər/
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
turnsnounUS /tɜːrnz/
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
unbentadjective
not bent
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading The modern variety theatre demands for its "turns" little plays called sketches, to last twenty minutes or so, and to enable some favorite performer to make a brief but dazzling appearance on some barely passable dramatic pretext.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We three unbent as Mrs Siddons, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr Johnson might have unbent, to devise a turn for the Coliseum variety theatre.
wonderfuladjectiveUS /ˈwʌndərfəl/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Miss Lillah McCarthy and I, as author and actress, have helped to make one another famous on many serious occasions, from Man and Superman to Androcles; and Mr Charles Ricketts has not disdained to snatch moments from his painting and sculpture to design some wonderful dresses for us.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Not that we would set down the art of the variety theatre as something to be condescended to, or our own art as elephantine.
