Amadeus: theatrical conventions of the period

Theatrical Conventions of the Period

Historically accurate costumes and set designs are used to portray the rococo opulence of the 18th-century Viennese court.
The play makes use of elaborate props such as the harpsichord, wigs, and opera glasses to enhance the authenticity of the time period.
The set should reflect the archaic and elaborate architecture of the era with elements like balconies, large chandeliers, and ornate furniture.
Lighting design can create a distinct mood for each scene, varying from the high courts to dark, private chambers.

Acting styles should marry 18th-century mannerisms with the emotional depth required to adequately depict the characters’ psychological states.
Characters are portrayed with historical accuracy in terms of social status, education, and linguistic style.
Mozart should be portrayed with dissonance, balancing his prodigious talent with his juvenile behaviour. The interpretation of his character can draw on the disparity between his manners and his supreme musical talent.
Salieri is portrayed as a conflicted character, torn between admiration and envy, his struggle representing the classic tragic hero.

The presence of Mozart’s compositions throughout the play evokes the 18th-century musical era, highlighting his genius and Salieri’s mediocrity.
The rich, classical music can set the staging’s atmosphere, increasing the authenticity of the time period being represented.
The use of music is also symbolic, with different pieces reflecting different emotional states or narrative moments.

Though it includes elements of historical drama, the play falls into the category of psychological drama and morality play, with themes relevant to modern audiences.
The play’s central tension lies in Salieri’s struggle with envy and his sense of cosmic injustice, exhibiting a moral and psychological battlefield.
The intermingling of fiction and non-fictional elements along with a modern language and narrative style issues a timeless appeal, allowing it to transcend the historical context and resonate with audiences of all periods.