Lower Sixth Play – Amadeus, by Peter Shaffer

 Review by Lower Sixth pupil, Rafe C, with contributions from Lucy M and Poppy G

The Lower Sixth’s production of Amadeus made for a vibrant and striking take on this classic drama. The secrecy and scandal of high society in 18th Century Vienna was evoked as whispers of ‘Salieri’ echoed through the Theatre as the play began. Filled with life and humour from the start, upheld throughout, this was easily the most memorable of the many productions I have seen at Lancing. 

Monty T’s Salieri seethed throughout, displaying the complexity of the character with sensitivity and depth as his bitterness coursed through each scene. Monty’s transitions from old to young; his voice control; his comprehension and command of the role; were stunning. His constant presence set the tone, sharply pivoting from playful comic to vindictive Machiavel to cynical retiree, executing ambitious characterisation with subtlety, the audience hanging on every word.

Albie T’s Mozart contrasted through his erratic, hectic, hyperactive performance which brought immense tension to the dynamic between the two leads. Albie intricately weaved undertones of insecurity into Mozart’s bawdy theatricality, building as he is inexorably outcast, coming to a head at the death of his father. Mozart’s desperation for patriarchal approval from Casper C-H’s bumbling Emperor Joseph (a fan favourite, born for this role) is thwarted by his snobbish, cynical advisors (Ronas E, Alex G and Joe M all superb characterisations).

As his eccentricity mutates into insanity the audience cannot help but sympathise as he tears himself apart. The contrast of twins playing rivals made the divide between the characters so effective. Both characters felt so inhabited. 

Two actors shared the role of Constanze across the run. Piper P’s portrayal was played with clear attention to dissonance: her love and appreciation for Mozart colliding with the reality of their unsustainable situation. Her fierce, fiery love for Mozart created a tragic focus of the play in her outrage at Salieri’s manipulation, her frustration with Mozart’s missteps and her genuine hope for his recovery which is ripped from her at his demise. Her presence showed the wider consequences of Salieri’s revenge.  

The portrayal of Constanze by Annie H was convincingly realised, as her character evolved from a playful, mischievous partner engaging Mozart in well-rehearsed games to a more subtly crafted, flirtatious figure as she befriends Salieri, before ultimately recognising his ulterior motives. Annie clearly formed a strong emotional connection with the role, communicating Constanze’s thoughts and feelings vividly through clear vocal and physical expression.

This was particularly evident during Mozart’s death scene, where the depth of Constanze’s love for her husband was powerfully conveyed through an outpouring of emotion, drawing the audience into her grief and fostering genuine sympathy for the character. 

 The Venticelli – Jaz B, Ciara H, Sofia H, Sophia W, and Alice Y – linked scenes with the energy of synchronised gossip girls, carrying the audience smoothly through the evening. By turning an original duo into an ensemble, the emphasis on gossip and rumours felt more universal and aligned cleanly with the politics of the court. 

Andrew B, Hilmi Mand Roma G were all dedicated to their roles. Perhaps my favourite part of the performance was that I knew many of the cast personally; seeing familiar faces transformed into entirely different characters was certainly a sight to see. 

Eccentric wigs and gorgeous gowns wondrously set the period and made the characters come to life – thanks to Mrs Charteris. The atmospheric lighting from warm to cold, often both at once, added to the intrigue; sound cues were crisp and sublime, thanks to Euan C, Penelope W, Mr Chandler, and Isaac H on keyboard. 

This was an amazing production, one of the theatrical highlights of the year. The entire Lower Sixth cast had such great rapport, bringing colour and depth to every role, making this a performance to be proud of. The amount of effort that must have been put in to make it feel effortless really sums up how brilliant Mr Smith’s productions are. And, well, there it is! 

Annie H reflects on her first time on stage at Lancing: 

“My first production at Lancing was nothing short of extraordinary. Playing Constanze (shared with Piper) was an experience I looked forward to every day, and discovering what I wanted to bring to the character was always an exciting challenge. The production established an incredibly passionate and dedicated group of people whose hard work and talent made every performance memorable.

“In particular, the friendships created within the cast made the whole experience feel that much more special, and the Drama Department’s enthusiastic commitment to each and every one of us made us all feel exceedingly valued. I know that we all felt fired up by the immense support and personally I feel that I have learned invaluable lessons from everyone in the cast, pushing me to be the best actor I can be even now. I am incredibly proud to have been part of such a successful show, and I look forward to my future contributions to Drama at Lancing.“