★★★★
Written by Sylvia Milo, The Other Mozart tells the true story of Wolfgang Mozart’s older sister Maria Anne Mozart, known as Nannerl. Like her younger brother, who she nicknames Wolfie, she loves music and is a skilled composer and musician. The pair tour around Europe, performing at prestigious venues. But unlike her brother, who continued to perform until his death in 1791, Nannerl is forced to give up performing once she is of marital age in favour of finding a husband. The story charts her life, showing how she manages to follow societal expectations while nurturing her love for music.
The staging is exquisite. A huge wedding dress stretches across the stage, littered with sheet music, notes and letters that Wolfgang wrote to his family while he was touring. At first, Nannerl flits around the stage, dancing over the dress, and collecting sheets of paper and props nestled between the creases. Each movement is precise and elegant, and there is a childish joy in her voice. As the play progresses and she gets older, she wears the dress, securing the boned corset around her own white one, demonstrating how marriage imprisons her, and prevents her from reaching her dreams.
Joshua Rose’s lighting design is remarkable, adding variety to the stage. When Nannerl recalls her time in Vienna, the lights shine purple to match the lavender scents of the street. She uses powder, and the puffs dance in the light. On the other hand, as she imitates her dad telling her it is improper for a lady to perform, the stage darkens, and a single light illuminates her face, creating a ghostly and ominous effect.
Despite all the barriers in her way, she continues to play her clavichord at home, even though it breaks and she has to stuff cotton wool in her ears to block out the awful sound. Later, she goes on to teach music, which she greatly enjoys. Above all, she is very proud of her brother. She loves getting letters from him, and there is no trace of jealousy or hatred as she tells us about his accomplishments. She even offers to send her life savings to him to help him pay off his debts and achieve his dream of being successful, even though it means she can never be. Beautifully researched and presented, The Other Mozart is a remarkable story about a remarkable woman often forgotten in history.
The Other Mozart will be performed at Assembly George Squares Studio – Studio Two until 25 August (not 12) as part of Edinburgh Fringe.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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We absolutely loved the show- every aspect of it- and would have loved the time to return and see the other sister perform. I shall frame the beautiful tote bag as a reminder of my 15th consecutive visit to the Fringe.