Peter Shaffer

 

Easton Press Peter Shaffer books

Amadeus - signed modern classic - 2004

Writer Peter Shaffer

Peter Shaffer, born on May 15, 1926, was a British playwright and screenwriter known for his provocative and thought-provoking works, including Equus and Amadeus. He was born in Liverpool, England, into a Jewish family of prosperous retailers. Shaffer's early years were marked by a deep love of literature and theater. After attending St Paul's School in London, he went on to study history at Trinity College, Cambridge. It was during his time at Cambridge that Shaffer discovered his passion for writing, particularly for the stage.

Shaffer began his career as a playwright in the 1950s, but it wasn't until the 1960s that he achieved widespread recognition with his play The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1964), which tells the story of the Spanish conquest of Peru. The play was a critical and commercial success, establishing Shaffer as a major talent in the world of theater. However, it was Shaffer's play Equus (1973) that would cement his reputation as one of the most important playwrights of his generation. Equus explores the complex relationship between a psychiatrist and his disturbed teenage patient who has blinded several horses. The play delves into themes of obsession, religion, and the nature of humanity, challenging audiences to confront their own beliefs and values. Following the success of Equus, Shaffer continued to write plays and screenplays, including Amadeus (1979), which tells the story of the rivalry between composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. Amadeus was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1984, further solidifying Shaffer's reputation as a master storyteller.

Throughout his career, Shaffer received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including Tony Awards for Best Play for both Equus and Amadeus. He was also honored with a knighthood in 2001 for his services to drama. Peter Shaffer passed away on June 6, 2016, at the age of 90, leaving behind a rich and diverse body of work that continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the world. His plays are celebrated for their intelligence, wit, and emotional depth, and his legacy as one of the great playwrights of the 20th century endures.

 

Amadeus

Amadeus is a play first performed in 1979. It was later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1984, directed by Miloš Forman. The story revolves around the rivalry between two composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, set in 18th century Vienna. The play is narrated by Salieri, an accomplished court composer, who becomes consumed by jealousy and resentment towards Mozart, a prodigious and irreverent young genius. Salieri is tormented by the belief that God has blessed Mozart with divine talent while denying him similar recognition for his own work.

As Mozart's meteoric rise to fame and success continues, Salieri becomes increasingly obsessed with undermining him, ultimately orchestrating his downfall. However, Salieri's schemes backfire, leading to his own spiritual and emotional ruin.

Amadeus explores themes of jealousy, ambition, and the nature of genius, offering a provocative and insightful commentary on the human condition. The play and film are celebrated for their gripping storytelling, complex characters, and stunning musical score, which features many of Mozart's most famous compositions. Amadeus received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including multiple Tony Awards for the play and multiple Academy Awards for the film adaptation. It remains one of the most beloved and enduring works of theater and cinema, captivating audiences with its timeless tale of rivalry and redemption.