Birmingham Royal Ballet goes to China – answers

1 The flag – they are flying the flag for the city of Birmingham.
To fly the flag for sth – represent your country or demonstrate your link with or support for an activity or organisation
2 For 3 weeks (they are on a 3-week tour).
3 Romeo and Juliet and Beauty and the Beast.
4 Because it is the first time the Birmingham Royal Ballet company has taken its shows to China.
5 Intense – ‘local media interest has been intense‘.
6 As international – as an international cast.
7 As a homecoming.
homecoming – noun – an occasion when someone returns home – or as here, to his / her native country
8 Because they were born there, in China, so China is their home.
9 Her aunts / aunties have been planning meetings, dinners and dos.
A do – informal; plural dos / do’s – a party or other social event
10 As the three largest cities in China. Birmingham is currently England’s second largest city, with a population of just over a million, but in a conurbation of over 2 million.
11 To foster economic and educational links (between China’s three largest cities and Birmingham).
foster – verb – promote / encourage the development of
12 That some pupils from this ballet and dance school have also joined the cast.
13 Prestigious – ‘companies as prestigious as this….’
14 Alongside – the dancer speaks of the chance to work alongside other dancers…..
15 The repertoire.
The repertoire – the body of pieces known or regularly performed by a performer or company
16 As (up) to date one of the best choreographers in the world.
To rate is to evaluate the standard or quality of sth / sb
To date means up until now, until this point in time; to be up-to-date is to be modern, recent, or to contain the latest information. Rex uses up-to-date when he means ‘to date‘.
17 It was a big culture shock.
18 In Japan
19 It is invaluable.
20 She is a newcomer.
21 As amazing.
22 That it is huge, the biggest stage she’s ever danced on.(In a huge theatre, on a huge stage)
23 Classes, rehearsals and performances on an almost daily basis.
24 That they have some time to see the beautiful sights of China.

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