Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells to lead a West End 'Amadeus'

The Welsh actors will star in a major revival of Peter Shaffer's acclaimed play at the Noël Coward Theatre in 2027.

Summary

• Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells will star in Amadeus
• The major revival is coming to the Noel Coward Theatre in the West End in 2027
• Peter Shaffer's acclaimed play centres on court composer Salieri and musical prodigy Mozart
• The show will be directed by Olivier Award winner Jeremy Herrin

Leading a major revival of Peter Shaffer’s masterpiece, stage and screen stars Michael Sheen (The Queen, Good Omens, Nye) and Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin, Cabaret) will face off as, respectively, the bitterly jealous court composer Antonio Salieri and musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the seminal play Amadeus.

The Second Half Productions and Welsh National Theatre production, directed by the Olivier Award-winning Jeremy Herrin (People, Places and Things, Wolf Hall), will run at New Theatre Cardiff on 9-27 March 2027 before a 16-week run at the West End's Noël Coward Theatre, from 17 April-7 August 2027.

This is Sheen's grand return to the West End after 20 years, since Frost/Nixon in 2006. He is also returning to Amadeus: he was the first major actor to perform both lead roles, playing Mozart in the West End in 1998 and then on Broadway, and Salieri at Sydney Opera House in 2022. This Amadeus reunites him with Scott Howells, with whom he worked on BBC drama series The Way.

Amadeus is set in Vienna, and sees Salieri, at the end of his life, make a terrible confession about his dealings with Mozart. The play then takes us back to the beginning of their journey in the late 18th century: Salieri, a modestly successful composer, grows dangerously obsessed with the newly arrived prodigy, whose remarkable gifts seem divinely bestowed, but whose behaviour is distinctly ungodly.

The show features Mozart's extraordinary music, as well as an electrifying portrait of genius, ambition, faith, and betrayal.

Amadeus will feature set design by the Olivier-winning Bunny Christie (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) and costume design by Lez Brotherston (Oliver!).

Director Jeremy Herrin said: “I'm delighted to be working on this legendary and beloved play with such fantastic acting talent. Michael Sheen is a master of the stage: surely one of the world's best. I can't wait to see him go toe to toe with Callum Scott Howells who has talent and presence to burn.”

Michael Sheen said: “It’s a full-circle moment for me to return to the West End with Amadeus. To play Salieri opposite a fellow Welshman as Mozart – a role that has meant so much to me – feels very special indeed.”

Callum Scott Howells said: “It feels like a dream come true to be playing Mozart in this production next year. I have wanted to play the role for a very long time so to be given this opportunity to work with Jeremy and Michael to bring this extraordinary world to life feels like a real gift. I’m extremely excited to bring a brand new take on this epic story to the stage in both Cardiff and the West End in 2027.”

Further casting is to be announced.

Check back for Amadeus tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells (Photo by Danny Kaan for Margo Jones Agency)