Amadeus, Equus & more

Synopsis

Peter Shaffer’s three most renowned plays, plus a radio monologue performed by Dame Judi DenchSir Peter Shaffer was one of the most distinguished and successful British playwrights of his generation. He won the Tony Award for both Amadeus and Equus, and the film adaptation of Amadeus garnered eight Oscars. In 1997, he was awarded an OBE, and he was knighted in the 2001 New Year honours list. This collection contains his best-known plays and a monologue specially written for radio, first broadcast in 1989.Amadeus – Antonio Salieri is 18th-century Vienna’s favourite composer – until a brilliant young upstart, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, appears on the scene and takes his crown. Consumed by jealousy, Salieri plots his rival’s downfall… Directed by Sir Peter Hall, this sensational drama is performed by the cast of the original National Theatre production, including Paul Scofield, Simon Callow and Felicity Kendal.Equus – When psychiatrist Martin Dysart is asked by the local magistrate to treat a disturbed 17-year-old boy who has blinded six horses, he soon finds himself in the midst of a nightmare. Starring Peter Barkworth and Ian Sharrock.The Royal Hunt of the Sun – In 1532, Francisco Pizarro and his 167 soldiers captured the last Inca Emperor, Atahuallpa. This gripping drama, starring Gerald Murphy and Norman Rodway, tells the story of the conquest of Peru, and the power struggle and fatal friendship between the Spanish conquistador and the Sun-God King.‘Whom Do I Have the Honour of Addressing?’ – Alone in her Clapham flat, Angela Parsons dictates a potentially explosive memoir onto her cassette recorder. It is an account of her life, death and a shocking scandal involving Hollywood’s most beloved film star… With Dame Judi Dench as Angela Parsons.Text copyright © Peter Shaffer 1964 (The Royal Hunt of the Sun), 1973 (Equus), 1979 (Amadeus), 1989 (‘Whom Do I Have the Honour of Addressing?’)Cast and creditsWritten by Peter ShafferAmadeusAntonio Salieri – Paul ScofieldWolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Simon CallowConstanze Mozart – Felicity KendalJoseph II – John NormingtonGottfried, Baron van Sweiten – Nicholas SelbyCount Franz Orsini Rosenberg – Willoughby GoddardJohann Kilian von Strack – Basil HensonVenticelli – Donald Gee/Dermot CrowleyCitizens of Vienna – Nigel Bellairs, Susan Gilmore, Peggy Marshall, Robin Meredith, Anne Sedgwick, William Sleigh, Glenn WilliamsEquusMartin Dysart – Peter BarkworthAlan Strang – Ian SharrockHeather Salomon – Jennifer PierceyFrank Strang – Malcolm HayesDora Strang – Jane WenhamJill Mason – Jenny TwiggeHarry Dalton – Ronald HerdmanYoung Horseman – Philip SullyNurse – Jan CareyOther voices – Richard Gibson, Nigel Greaves, David Parfitt, Jonathan ScottThe Royal Hunt of the SunKing Atahualpa – Gerald MurphyPizarro – Norman RodwayOld Martin – Bob PeckHernando de Soto – Edward de SouzaDiego de Trujillo – Gordon ReidYoung Martin – Matthew SimPedro de Candia – Keith DrinkelFray Vincente de Valverde – Nigel AnthonyFelipillo – David HoltDomingo – Nicholas MercieChallcuchima – John FlemingMiguel Estete – Martyn ReidSalinas – Peter GunnRodas – John WebbOther parts played by members of the cast‘Whom Do I Have the Honour of Addressing?’Angela Parsons – Dame Judi Dench© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd