Reader Reviews
Amadeus (Wilton's Music Hall, Inner London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | What a great, warm, beautiful venue, perfect for a G&S. Wondered about an all-male version but easy to buy into it and forgot that boys were playing girls. Laughed a lot and was suprisingly moved. Well done to all involved. Deserves to be seen. - Holly Best | 14 Apr 10 |
| Saw the show on Sunday afternoon. Sunny day, glass of wine, good company and then a treat of a show. Fabulous ! - Lesley Anne | 14 Apr 10 |
| John Doyle has done it again with this beautiful production of an almost forgotten play. The addition of actor-musicians breathes new life into Peter Shaffer's often over-wordy piece, although perhaps there could have been even more music, particularly in the second half. The necessary versatility also creates a couple of acting problems: Jess Murphy is a delight as Constanze but is not remotely common; Joanthan Broadbent portrays an irritating Mozart and avoids the over-the-top buffoonery of Tom Hulce's movie version, but does little to convey the genius of the composer. Of course the success of Amadeus depends on the quality of the lead and ("tonight Matthew I'm going to be Antonio Salieri") Matthew Kelly is a triumph. His towering frame drips jealousy and malevolence before descending into self-loathing and self pity. This is a million miles from Kelly's camp, avuncular TV persona and demonstrates that he is an actor of considerable substance. This production seems headed for a West End transfer but, as has been noted elsewhere, it is difficult to think of a more perfect venue. Wilton's is a semi-derelict shell of a building, dripping with atmosphere. With a lighting design creating a candlelit effect and wonderful acoustics you feel drawn in to the period of the play. It will be a long time before I forget the sight of Constanza cradling Mozart in her arms as his Requiem fills the hall. - 62.6.139.13) | 04 Oct 06 |
| Probably the most impressive and classy piece of theatre I have seen in a very long time. Why has it not been better advertised?! Perhaps because it is hoping to transfer into the West End?... which is a shame as Wiltons Music Hall is the most charmingly perfect venue for it, even if you do have to walk 10mins from Tower Hill tube. My only slight criticism would be that I was unsure as to why the stage is set so high up - from the front row I got a little neck ache. Matthew Kelly is breathtakingly inspiring and Jonathan Broadbent is disturbingly childlike as the title role. Both actors use of light and shade are spot on. Sam Kenyon is delightful as the Emperor and Jess Murphy strikes the balance of silliness and provocative charm just right as Mozart's wife Constanze. Eamonn O'Dwyer and Sebastian Bates are deliciously weird and wonderful as "the gossips" of the piece. The ensemble of actor/musicians are extremely disciplined and some have little to do other than play their instruments but their concentration never waivers. Although Salieri and Amadeus are the 'stars' of this play it is the strength of the ensemble and the live music which produces the magic and atmosphere of this production. Other productions of this play have seen me drift off in boredom - despite it's brilliant text - I always yearned for their to be more live music....and now my wish has come true. I was on the edge of my seat throughout John Doyle's production - the suspense was expertly thought out and even knowing the story I was left constantly wondering what was going to happen next. I thought this style matched John Doyle's production better than his Sweeney and hope to see it transferred into one of the smaller West End venues. It finishes on 14 October at Wilton's Music Hall and I urge you to see it there for the overall experience. I saw WICKED last night and frankly do not see what all the hype is about - go and see Amadeus instead. You will not be disturbed by a shrieking, hysterical audience and will quietly be able to witness a masterclass in truly challenging live theatre. - 213.86.30.2) | 03 Oct 06 |
| I trekked out to London E1 last Saturday to see the matinee performance of this wonderful production, and it was well worth the effort! I thought Matthew Kelly was exceptionally good as Salieri and Jonathan Broadbent as the hyperactive young Mozart was brilliant. The rest of the cast is also supremely talented in that they play and sing classical pieces and arias, are all extremely good-looking and are polished actors too! I was absolutely thrilled to be present and was fascinated and enthralled by the semi-decrepit state and decayed beauty of the marvellous old Wilton's Music Hall, which added greatly to the ambience of the play. I wouldn't have missed this for the world and congratulate all concerned with this production... bravo!! - 86.139.114.17) | 02 Oct 06 |
| The two reasons to head east to see this are that the venue and the play could not be a better match (and the design helps) and John Doyle's actor-musician trademark style is absolutely perfect (even better than Sweeney!). There are a couple of disaapointments, though - somehow the pace of the 1980 and 1998 productions is lost and it appears slow, particularly in the first half; and Matthew Kelly's performance is patchy and inconsistent - at times perfect, but at times seeming to lack real passion and bite. Thay said, this revival should be seen and it should be seen at Wiltons. - 86.130.210.245) | 20 Sep 06 |
