Peter Shaffer’s classic play Amadeus, starring Alan Committie as Salieri, will open at the Theatre on the Bay on 12 April 2024 after a successful run in Johannesburg.
This powerful, thrilling story about passion, jealousy and vengeance also features Aidan Scott (The Mousetrap, One Piece, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Don’t Make Tea) as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Lisa Tredoux (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Skin Tight) as Constanze, Mark Elderkin (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night) as Emperor Joseph II, Phumi Mncayi (The Color Purple, Six Characters in Search of An Author, Sister Act) as Orsini Rosenburg, Andreas Damm (Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Metamorphosis, Tartuffe) as Van Swieten, Miguel de Sampaio (Every Brilliant Thing, Mephisto, Stupid F*cking Bird) as Von Strack, and Léa Blerk (The Sound of Music, Stupid F*cking Bird, Mephisto) as Katerina.
The Tony award-winning play was first staged in 1979 and has had numerous productions presented all over the world since then, including a staging at the Alhambra Theatre in Johannesburg in 1981. An Oscar award-winning movie followed in 1984.
Intriguing characters
All the elements are present for an unforgettable theatrical experience: suspense, comedy, rousing music and intriguing characters. In the court of the Austrian Emperor Joseph II, Antonio Salieri is the established composer. Enter the greatest musical symphonist of all time: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Salieri has given himself to God so that he might realise his sole ambition; to be a great melodist. Mozart, however, is a foul-mouthed, obnoxious oaf who has that which is beyond Salieri’s envious grasp: genius. This is Salieri’s passionate telling of his act of vengeance in response to Mozart.
One of the world’s great plays
Award winning director Geoffrey Hyland takes the helm of Amadeus.His production team includes Illka Louw (costume designer), Tineill Tredoux (costume coordinator), Oliver Hauser (lighting), Nadine Minnaar (scenic elements) and Gideon Lombard (sound design).
Director Geoffrey Hyland explains, “Directing one of the world’s great classic plays, and finding a fresh way to tell that story to a contemporary audience, is a dream challenge for me as a director. My great joy is to work with the actors – in this case, a stellar cast headed by the inimitable Alan Committie – and shape their offerings into a compelling account of genius and jealousy.”
Two-time Fleur du Cap Best Actor winner Alan Committie (Richard III, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf), heads up the illustrious cast, playing Antonio Salieri. “I am thrilled to be playing Salieri in one of the great play texts from the 20th Century! Enflamed in parts by passion, rage, jealousy and righteousness – he is a joy to interpret and perform, says Committie.
What: Amadeus
Where and when: Theatre on the Bay from 12 April to 18 May 2024
Tickets: Webtickets
WS
