Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells will lead a revival of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, with the show set to visit the West End in 2027.
Sheen and Howells will star as rival composers Salieri and Mozart in the production, which will open in Cardiff before a 16-week run at the Noël Coward Theatre beginning in April next year.
Vienna, 1820. A respected composer makes a shocking confession. Antonio Salieri has everything – status, success, and the certainty that he has earned them. Until he meets musical prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Vulgar and childish, but utterly brilliant, Mozart possesses a gift so extraordinary that Salieri believes it can only be divine. And that God has chosen the wrong man. Faced with a brilliance he cannot rival, Salieri begins a dangerous obsession that threatens to consume them both – channelling his jealousy into a calculated campaign to destroy the man he both worships and despises.
Fuelled by some of the greatest music ever written, Amadeus is an electrifying story of ambition, faith, and the unbearable cost of greatness – where talent battles genius, devotion turns to betrayal, and man dares to challenge God.
Returning for his first West End production since 2006’s Frost/Nixon, Sheen is embittered court composer Antonio Salieri, opposite Howells, who makes his role debut as musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Sheen was the first major actor to perform both roles following critically acclaimed performances as Mozart in the West End and on Broadway (1998/1999) and as Salieri at the Sydney Opera House (2022).
Amadeus sees Sheen and Howells reunite for the first time since their collaboration on BBC drama The Way, also marking the first time two Welsh actors have taken on the iconic roles in the same production. Further casting to be announced.
The first revival of Shaffer’s play in over a decade, it is directed by Jeremy Herrin. Amadeus will feature set design by Bunny Christie with costume design by Lez Brotherston. Casting is by Sam Jones.
The production comes from Second Half Productions and Welsh National Theatre.
Amadeus will run at Noël Coward Theatre from April 17 – August 7, 2027. Tickets are now on sale here.
Top image: Amadeus – Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells by Danny Kaan for Margo Jones Agency (image supplied)