Hollywood star Rupert Everett in Amadeus at Chichester’s Festival Theatre
Multi award-winning play, Amadeus, launches the reopening of Chichester’s Festival Theatre
Break a leg
Chichester’s Festival Theatre reopens in July, with a new production of 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 a fictionalised account of the 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 Festival 2014. 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 the embittered court composer Salieri, a role which marks his return to Chichester for the first time since his acclaimed performance in Pygmalion (2010).
Joshua McGuire plays Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His credits include a leading role in the highly praised production of Privacy (Donmar Warehouse) and the title role in Hamlet at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Jessie Buckley plays Constanze Weber, and Richard Clifford plays Baron Gottfried van Swieten. Both actors have extensive theatrical and West End credentials.
Simon Jones plays Joseph II Emperor of Austria, and Timothy Kightley plays Count Johann Killian von Strack. The remaining cast comprises a wealth of talent, in John Standing, Derek Hutchinson, James Simmons, Marc Antolin, Jeremy Bennett, Leon Cooke, Jessica Duncan, Jack Edwards, Stephanie Elstob, Harry Francis, Molly-May Gardiner, Trevor Jones, Dann Kharsa, Dermot McLaughlin, Karl Moffatt, Emily Shaw, Deborah Vale and Natalie Woods.
Amadeus is directed by Jonathan Church, Chichester’s Artistic Director. Chichester credits include The Last Confession (Toronto, Los Angeles and Australia tour), Singin’ In The Rain, The Resistible Rise Of Arturo Ui and The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby. Other credits include Of Mice And Men (West End and tour) and The Witches.
Behind the production, musical staging is by Stephen Mear, design is by Simon Higlett, costume design is by Fotini Dimou and music direction is by Matthew Scott.
Amadeus is at Chichester’s Festival Theatre from 12 July – 2 August 2014.
Evenings 7.30pm, matinees 2.30pm, Tickets from £15.
To book, visit cft.org.uk or call the Box Office on 01243 781312.
Special price for 16–25s just £8.50 for all performances:
book online at cft.org.uk/850 or in person.
