Theatre Choice

Rich but patchy, Ouroboros’s production of Amadeus feels uneven and unsatisfying. More famous in its adapted film version, Peter Shaffer’s play paints Mozart (Patrick Moy) as a foul-mouthed overgrown child prodigy, despised by the Viennese court and more specifically by its composer, his arch rival Salieri (Denis Conway). Mindful of his own mediocrity, Salieri is intent on destroying the genius. His odious confession has the potential to enthral but under Michael Caven’s direction the first act suffers from poor timing and an ill-fitting air of detachment at odds with the sinister Salieri’s motives. However, when Moy’s irritating childishness is later replaced by mature intensity, it adds sorely needed power and potency. Beautifully produced and just shy of three hours long, Amadeus is an epic symphony with each phrase and part well presented. What it lacks is unifying spirit.