Presented by Gloucester Productions at Pieter Toerien’s Theatre On The Bay from 12 April – 18 May, this 2024 staging of Peter Shaffer’s classic play Amadeus stars Alan Committie as Salieri. The powerful, thrilling story about passion, jealousy and vengeance debuted in Johannesburg and now Cape Town audiences will get to enjoy this Tony award-winning play.
Amadeus 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.
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 in Shaffer’s riveting, intriguing study of the roots of envy and the haphazard nature of genius.
Joining Alan Committie on stage are 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.
Brimming with gloriously evocative text and soaring snatches of Mozart’s music, Amadeus promises to be a vivid theatrical occasion that’s not to be missed, with award winning director Geoffrey Hyland takes the helm. His production team includes Illka Louw (costume designer), Tineill Tredoux (costume coordinator), Oliver Hauser (lighting), Nadine Minnaar (scenic elements) and Gideon Lombard (sound design).
“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,” says Hyland.
Two-time Fleur du Cap Best Actor winner Alan Committie (Richard III, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf) says, “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
“Amadeus is a must see experience. I’m not sure when we might get the opportunity to watch this sublime text on a local professional stage again,” he adds.
- Performances are Tuesdays – Fridays at 7:30pm, and Saturdays at 3pm and 7:30pm
- Ticket prices range from R180 – R300 and bookings are via Webtickets, selected Pick ‘n Pay Outlets or by calling the theatre box office on 021 438 3301
- Discounts for students and senior citizens apply. For group bookings, contact Dean Roberts at [email protected], or call 021 438 3300/1
- The duration of the show is two hours plus a 20-minute interval
- Age restriction PG12
PHOTO CREDIT: Keaton Ditchfield
