Michael Sheen hails ‘full-circle moment’ as he returns to West End in Amadeus

Michael Sheen has said it is a “full-circle moment” returning to the West End for a production of Amadeus, nearly three decades after starring as the acclaimed musician.

The 57-year old Welsh actor and director, known for 2008’s Frost/Nixon, will portray court composer Antonio Salieri opposite It’s A Sin star Callum Scott Howells, 26, who will play Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in both a London and Cardiff production of the Peter Shaffer play.

It is the first time Sheen will take on the role since playing the jealous rival in a 2022 production at the Sydney Opera House which followed his portrayal of Mozart on the West End and on Broadway in 1998/1999.

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.”

Amadeus sees Sheen and Howells reunite for the first time since working together on the BBC drama The Way.

Directed by Jeremy Herrin, the play is a co-production between Second Half Productions and Welsh National Theatre, which was established by Sheen in 2025 and marks the company’s first West End staging.

Sheen added: “He’s an extraordinary talent who deserves this stage, and audiences should be excited for what’s to come.

“To bring this vital new production to both Cardiff and the West End – a first for a Welsh National Theatre – feels like an important next step on our journey.”

Set in 1820 Vienna, the play follows the imagined rivalry between the two composers – rowdy young prodigy Mozart and respected but obsessively jealous Salieri, who believes his counterpart’s gift is so extraordinary it can only be divine – and that God has chosen the wrong man.

Faced with a talent he cannot rival, Salieri begins a dangerous and calculated campaign to destroy the man he both worships and despises.

Howells added: “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.”

Herrin praised the actors and described Sheen as a “master of the stage” adding that he cannot wait “to see him go toe to toe with Callum Scott Howells who has talent and presence to burn.”

He added: “I’m thrilled that Second Half Productions has the privilege of building the show in Cardiff and bringing Welsh National Theatre’s inspiring work to the West End for the first time.”

Tickets go on general sale from 10am on Friday April 24 with 15,000 tickets available at £30 or less across Cardiff and London.