Amadeus is a fictional story of two rivals in 18^th century Vienna: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. It is a timeless tale full of jealousy and rivalry, featuring some of Mozart’s most celebrated music. The production brings to life the Hapsburg court, with the actors wearing period and colourful costumes; there are plenty of big wigs on display, too….

We interviewed Martin Crawley, director of Amadeus to find out why he loves the play; and Titchfield audiences will do too. Martin, together with his wife Terri who is co-director, have directed many TFT favourites including Blackadder Goes Forth, Sweet Panic, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, Veronica’s Room and The Liver Birds.

Simon Frost: Why was Amadeus chosen by TFT for this year’s season?

Martin: I have wanted to do Amadeus for several years as I was fascinated when I first watched the film by Peter Shaffer way back in the ‘80s. I love Mozart’s music too… Mozart composed some of the best music in the world.

Amadeus is a fantastic story; fictional, but also tragic. It uses real historical events to weave this fantastic story. It is important to say that the suggestion that Salieri may have murdered Mozart has no basis in fact. There is no evidence for this, and the theory has been debunked. Indeed, according to contemporary events both men got on quite well, and Salieri went onto teach one of Mozart’s children.

Amadeus is inspired by the two principal characters, Mozart and Salieri. Salieri has made a pact with God to become the best musician he can be, leading a life of virtue. Moving to Vienna from Italy, he feels that all his prayers have been answered, Salieri’s work performed to great acclaim. Then later Mozart arrives on the scene. He is a genius musical talent; but a person who has no manners, uses bad language and is sexually promiscuous. Salieri therefore feels that God is torturing him, descending gradually into madness.

Simon: Amadeus is considered by some to be one of the greatest films of all time, and performed also as a play. That sounds like a real challenge: what has it been like to direct this play?

Martin: Rehearsing Amadeus during lockdown has certainly been an immense challenge. All rehearsals have been on Zoom, and on stage there will be social distancing. However, we have a great cast, there is a chorus with live singing, including a performance on a harpsicord. One of our motivations has been that all of the Titchfield company is really looking forward to welcoming our patrons back to enjoy the beauty of live theatre again.

Simon: The story is based upon a fictional rivalry between Mozart and Italian composer Antonio Salieri at the court of Emperor Joseph II. Why do 21^st century audiences relate to this tale so much?

Martin: I think they can relate to a number of things in this play: human rivalry, sexual mores and professional jealousy, all of which we still see today. Also, Mozart’s precocious genius; and with that genius came very few social graces. Does genius come with any responsibility? Is there any responsibility to act within social norms? These are interesting questions to ponder.

Simon: Mozart is world renowned for his music, and his opera. To what extent does his music feature in the play?

Martin: It figures strongly in the play; apart from two pieces by Salieri all the rest by Mozart. However, it is important to note that Amadeus is not a musical; the music punctuates the play, providing a window into Salieri’s mind.

Simon: I have seen critics refer to the film version of Amadeus as reflecting the decade it first appeared, the 1980s. What do you think of this view?

Martin: Peter Shaffer is a prescriptive director who directs “off the page”. He spent two years writing the screen play. It is also important to say that I have not strayed from Peter Shaffer’s vision, so the descriptions of Salieri and Mozart in National Theatre production are very similar to film. Hopefully the play captures Mozart’s awkward ‘gigglyness’, his disregard for authority and crudeness. These are the traits brought to the fore. It is timeless.

All of the actors will wear period costume. Amadeus is quite lavish and there will be plenty of colour and glamour. Some great costumes and big wigs too, I promise!

Simon: Finally, what do you believe audiences will most enjoy about Amadeus?

Martin: Amadeus has a very moving ending; it is a tear jerker. Also, I hope that audiences will enjoy the live singing and the beauty of Mozart’s music – and of course the top notch performances. This is TFT’s very first performance since the end of lockdown, therefore everyone can now rediscover the pure joy of live theatre again.

Thank you, Martin.

Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of Amadeus opens on Monday May 17th running until Saturday May 22nd, 2021. Tickets for all performances are now available. Evening shows start at 7.30pm. The matinée production is on Saturday 22nd May 2021 at 2.30pm.

For more information including booking tickets, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366. Amadeus will be also streamed live on Friday 21 & Saturday 22 May 2021. You can also watch a trailer of Amadeus here.