Amadeus, Equus & more: Four Full-Cast BBC Radio Productions

Peter Shaffer’s three most renowned plays, plus a radio monologue performed by Dame Judi Dench

Sir 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 credits Written by Peter Shaffer

Amadeus Antonio Salieri – Paul Scofield Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Simon Callow Constanze Mozart – Felicity Kendal Joseph II – John Normington Gottfried, Baron van Sweiten – Nicholas Selby Count Franz Orsini Rosenberg – Willoughby Goddard Johann Kilian von Strack – Basil Henson Venticelli – Donald Gee/Dermot Crowley Citizens of Vienna – Nigel Bellairs, Susan Gilmore, Peggy Marshall, Robin Meredith, Anne Sedgwick, William Sleigh, Glenn Williams

Equus Martin Dysart – Peter Barkworth Alan Strang – Ian Sharrock Heather Salomon – Jennifer Piercey Frank Strang – Malcolm Hayes Dora Strang – Jane Wenham Jill Mason – Jenny Twigge Harry Dalton – Ronald Herdman Young Horseman – Philip Sully Nurse – Jan Carey Other voices – Richard Gibson, Nigel Greaves, David Parfitt, Jonathan Scott

The Royal Hunt of the Sun King Atahualpa – Gerald Murphy Pizarro – Norman Rodway Old Martin – Bob Peck Hernando de Soto – Edward de Souza Diego de Trujillo – Gordon Reid Young Martin – Matthew Sim Pedro de Candia – Keith Drinkel Fray Vincente de Valverde – Nigel Anthony Felipillo – David Holt Domingo – Nicholas Mercie Challcuchima – John Fleming Miguel Estete – Martyn Reid Salinas – Peter Gunn Rodas – John Webb Other 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

© 2025 BBC Digital Audio (Lydbog): 9781529963663

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Lydbog: 25. september 2025