Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells to lead major West End revival of Amadeus

A landmark revival of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus is set to electrify the stage, with Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells cast as legendary rivals Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The production marks the first major revival of the celebrated play in more than a decade and brings together two Welsh actors in the iconic roles for the first time in a single staging.

Directed by Jeremy Herrin, the new production will premiere at New Theatre Cardiff from March 9 to 27, 2027, before transferring to London’s Noël Coward Theatre for a 16-week West End run from April 17 to August 7, 2027. The production is a collaboration between Second Half Productions and Welsh National Theatre, the latter founded by Sheen in 2025.

For Sheen, the project represents a deeply personal return to both the play and the West End stage. The multi-award-winning actor last appeared in the West End in Frost/Nixon in 2006 and has a longstanding connection to Amadeus. He previously portrayed Mozart in both the West End and on Broadway in the late 1990s, before later taking on the role of Salieri at the Sydney Opera House in 2022.

Now stepping back into the world of Shaffer’s celebrated drama, Sheen describes the production as a full-circle moment in his career, particularly as he takes on Salieri opposite a fellow Welsh performer in the role that first defined his relationship with the play.

Callum Scott Howells, known for his acclaimed television work in It’s a Sin and his stage performance in Cabaret, will make his debut as Mozart. The BAFTA Cymru-winning actor brings fresh energy to the role, marking a significant milestone in his rapidly rising career. The production also reunites Howells and Sheen following their collaboration on the BBC drama The Way, which Sheen directed.

Director Jeremy Herrin brings strong creative momentum to the revival, following recent successes at the Royal Court and with a touring production of The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. He is joined by an accomplished creative team, including Olivier Award-winning set designer Bunny Christie and costume designer Lez Brotherston, with casting led by Sam Jones CDG.

The production also holds broader significance for its producing companies. For Welsh National Theatre, the West End transfer represents its debut engagement in London’s commercial theatre scene, marking a major milestone for the Swansea-based company. Since its launch, the company has already presented a touring production of Our Town and is preparing for the world premiere of Owain & Henry later in 2026.

Meanwhile, for Second Half Productions, the revival signals its first new stage project since the Broadway transfer of Every Brilliant Thing, reinforcing its continued presence in high-profile theatrical productions.

With a powerhouse cast, an acclaimed creative team, and a story that continues to resonate with audiences, Amadeus is poised to become one of the most anticipated theatrical events of 2027.