Amadeus! Wow factor.

This play definitely exceeded my expectations of what theater can be. This is because of the melding of various genres to create a historically motivated story. I guess I will start with my one criticism of the work, and then explained why it "wowed" me from there. Upon beginning to read this, I felt the stage directions were a little to precise and complex. It was difficult to picture in my mind as I was reading the play, as many characters were on stage even if only Salieri was speaking. It was really difficult to keep track of the characters locations, and because the stage directions are so precise this play seems especially difficult to direct. That being said, however, the concept of these silent characters and the interactions that ensue is interesting, and I really would like to see this play performed as I feel a lot would become clearer.

So, now on to all the things I liked! As I said, I loved the melding of genres. It is obvious that Shaffer has a firm knowledge of theater history, as I found this work to have threads of Classical Greek drama, Commedia, and Film Noir. The Greek drama aspect of this play, can be seen thorough the Venticelli, these two characters possessed the role of the chorus, giving narrative, opinion, and influence to the story. The influence of Commedia del Arte makes sense, as this play took place in the era in which this style of theater was popular (as seen though Mozart adapting Figaro into an opera.) The last influence, that of Film Noir, I found to be the most fascinating. This modernized the work, through a freeze-frame narrative, in which Salieri gave opinions and intentions to the audience.

Salieri is an interesting character to have as the focal point of the play as he is the forgotten composer, and claims to have led to Mozart's demise. In this work, the audience is made to understand and pity this bitter and hard-working composer. Mozart, is also pitied, though portrayed in a more negative light, and does not possess the same focus on inner psychology as Salieri does in this work. The portrayal of Mozart is through Salieri's eyes, and through this we see his psychological journey, of hating Mozart and his pretentiousness, to pitying him, to begging for forgiveness. This play is also incredibly thematic, as Salieri declares that Mozart is not his rival, but God. There is the theme of the conflict between hard-work, and God-given talent in this play, that most people, as being more the hard-working type can relate to. Also, portrayed is the war between talent and work in one's lifetime, and physical demise leading to death; this concept that God-given talent can never be crushed. I love this play for its concrete yet multiple themes, its portrayal of characters that are human: neither bad nor good, and its interlocking use of genres giving the work a unique layout. These three characteristics are what I plan to apply to my writing in work to come.