From left, Patrick Barry, Kay Cronin and Christian Manderfield in Amadeus. Picture by Jennifer Burton
Stage ReviewsRecalling the 1984 Oscar-winning film Amadeus, I feared the Apollo’s choice of the stage version was rather ambitious for amateur thespians.
But I need not have worried. In Edna Crosbie’s capable hands, with a talented cast, Peter Shaffer’s brilliant drama about the life and death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart made spell-binding entertainment.
Star of the show was Christian Manderfield, as the jealous, scheming, court composer Salieri, whose resentment of Mozart’s genius is the central theme of the play.
Patrick Barry and Kay Cronin gave convincing performances as the passionate but tragic Mozart and his adoring wife, Constanze. Mozart’s inappropriate exuberance and childish tantrums were both funny and sad to watch, while his descent into madness and death, in the arms of Constanze, was heart-rending.
Also excellent were Peter Boffin (Emperor Josef II) and Kevin Wilson, Michael Arnell and Peter Gale as puffed-up imperial mafiosi. In fact, the company was perfectly cast and rehearsed.
Sumptuous costumes, an inventive set and beautiful music by Mozart, Salieri and Rossini added to another excellent evening at the Apollo.
There is still time to see this production, which closes tomorrow (Saturday).