Stage: Too many notes!

Rupert Everett stars in Amadeus for the opening of the newly redeveloped Chichester Festival Theatre

Chichester’s Festival Theatre reopens in July with a new production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, featuring West End and Hollywood star Rupert Everett alongside acclaimed young actor Joshua McGuire.

Everett will be the very first actor to be seen by an audience on the Festival Theatre stage following the £22 million redevelopment of the Grade II* listed building.

Amadeus is the fictionalised account of a rivalry between court composer Salieri and the young genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, set amidst the splendour of 18th century Vienna.

The multi award-winning play – later adapted into an Oscar-winning film – will be the second production by Peter Shaffer to be staged during the festival. Shaffer’s Black Comedy will also run as part of the season, alongside three weekends of special events. This major celebration of Shaffer’s work reflects his importance to Chichester Festival Theatre dating back to 1964, and his wider success as one of Britain’s greatest living playwrights.

Rupert Everett plays embittered court composer Salieri. Everett returns to Chichester for the first time since his acclaimed performance in Pygmalion (2010). More recently he appeared in The Judas Kiss (a Chichester co-production), for which he won a Whatsonstage.com award and an Olivier Award nomination.

Joshua McGuire plays Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His credits include a leading role in the highly praised production of Privacy (Donmar Warehouse), Posh at the Royal Court and West End, and the title role in Hamlet at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Jessie Buckley plays Constanze Weber. She has appeared in Michael Grandage’s production of Henry V, The Tempest at Shakespeare’s Globe and A Little Night Music at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Amadeus is directed by Jonathan Church, Chichester’s Artistic Director. His Chichester credits include The Last Confession (Toronto, Los Angeles and Australia tour), Singin’ In The Rain (also West End and tour), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (also West End) and The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby (also West End). Other credits include Of Mice And Men (West End and tour) and The Witches (West End and tour).

The musical staging is by Stephen Mear, Chichester’s Associate Choreographer. His Chichester credits include The Pajama Game (also West End) and Kiss Me, Kate (also The Old Vic). Other credits include West End productions of Shoes, Mary Poppins, Hello, Dolly!, Crazy For You and Anything Goes (National Theatre and West End).

The production is designed by Simon Higlett, Chichester’s Associate Designer. Chichester credits include The Resistible Rise Of Arturo Ui (also West End), Singin’ In The Rain, (also West End, and UK tour later this year), Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, Yes, Prime Minister, Taking Sides and Collaboration (all of which transferred to the West End).

Other credits include West End productions of The Rivals and When We Are Married.

Costume designs are by Fotini Dimou, whose Chichester credits include Rosencrantz and Guildernstern Are Dead, Hay Fever and The Last Confession. Other credits include The Duchess Of Malfi and Julius Caesar for the RSC, Gethsemane, and Terese Raquin and The Seagull both for the National Theatre.

Amadeus is sponsored by the University of Chichester.

Amadeus is at the Festival Theatre, Chichester, from 12 July – 2 Aug. Evenings 7.30pm (except for Friday 18 July, 7.00pm), matinees 2.30pm. Tickets: Previews/Press Night from £10.
All other performances from £15. To book, go to www.cft.org.uk or contact the box office on
01243 781312.

Special Prices for 16–25s
An allocation of tickets for 16–25 year olds priced at just £8.50 for all performances of Amadeus are now on sale. These may be booked on 01243 781312, online at www.cft.org.uk/850 or in person.

Events
Director Jonathan Church will be in conversation with author and broadcaster Kate Mosse on Wednesday 16 July at 5.45pm. Tickets free, but advance booking is essential.

There will also be the chance to meet some of the Amadeus company at a post-show discussion on Thursday 31 July.

Follow me: latestandrew