|
|
|
|
"Croydon Advertise" Wrote Amadeus 5 stars This play is Peter Shaffer’s artistic view of how and why genius composer Mozart met such an early death and ended up buried in a pauper’s grave. It is fascinating stuff and some of it is very probably true. It supposes that leading composer in Vienna during the 1780s, the sexually repressed and very mediocre Salieri, was uncontrollably jealous of the upstart blessed with a talent to write sublime music with apparent ease which was utterly at odds with his scandalously vulgar, childish behaviour. Both roles are plums for actors. Salieri is an Everest of a part for any man, especially at amateur performer, and under Helen Chisnall’s direction Chris Hearn scaled its heights to conquer it completely. This was a monumental portrayal of a complicated character who, on the last night of his life, an old and decrepit man, reflects on the events which led him to orchestrate the downfall of his hated rival. His slight accent was maintained convincingly throughout, the change from age to middle age and back again when required was masterly and the growth of the jealousy within him was charted with care and humour. The role of Mozart himself would be funnier if it were not so tragic, his glittering music (which the play included) held in such low esteem during his short lifetime. He was an uncouth lad by any standards and Duncan Tunbridge let rip with the idiotic giggling, tasteless outbursts and sexy capering with his pretty but common young wife Constanze. Hattie Jackson made an ideal consort for this Amadeus, and shed touching tears at his deathbed. Fiona Mitchell looked fabulous as the delicious singer Katherina Cavalieri and the rest of the company also looked wonderful in their sumptuous costumes and good wigs (bravo to wardrobe mistress Linda Currion.) Strong supporting roles were filled by Chris Bishop as the Emperor; Phil Wright, Roger Dale and Rick Roberts as court grandees and Janet Hughes and Joyce Wells as whispering gossips in the pay of Salieri. Parlour keep on stretching themselves to meet greater and greater challenges with such success that one wonders what will come next: King Lear maybe? Diana Eccleston
The next production in November will be "Amadeus" by Peter Shaffer
Performances on the 8th to the 10th
November in the Main Hall at 7.45pm.
Tickets available from their Box
Office on 020 8657 6509 Some background on the play reading: Whatever you may think of Jeffrey the man, in his first foray into play writing, Archer has produced a piece which has proved attractive to audiences and theatrically interesting from the production point of view. With a well crafted plot line which has a sensitive and contemporary feel, his characters ring true and offer plenty of scope for development. For anyone not familiar with the play, it is set in the recent past. In the Central Criminal Court – the Old Bailey – Sir David Metcalfe, distinguished QC and Chairman of the Bar Council, is conducting the most important defence of his career – his own. Accused of the wilful murder of his terminally ill wife, Sir David finds himself locked in legal combat with his old rival, Anthony Blair-Booth QC, prosecuting counsel. After a tense and gripping courtroom scene, Act I ends just as we are about to hear the jury’s verdict. Act II takes us back in time to the fateful night of Lady Metcalfe’s death and before, and the play ends with a surprising twist. The play enjoyed a successful run in London’s West End, with Frank Finlay and Wendy Craig in the leading roles. I hope as many of you as possible can get along to the play reading and will find something to go for at the auditions. The Parlour Players are a Amateur Dramatic group based at Sanderstead United Reformed Church. Contact Information
|
|
Send mail to
Keith Hughes with questions or
comments about this web site.
|
