Interview: Vicki Berwick on adapting THE MOZART QUESTION for stage at Barn Theatre

Vicki Berwick’s theatrical adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel The Mozart Question will debut at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester from 21 March – 30 April. We caught up with Vicki in rehearsals.

Tell us about The Mozart Question.

The Mozart Question is about the power of music, and that even in our darkest times music can bring light.  The story focuses on a young boy, Paolo, who discovers his papa used to be a violinist. As soon as Paolo holds a violin, he wants to play and finds he has a natural talent for it. However playing the violin unlocks many stories, and so he discovers a part of his parents past he knew nothing about. 

What do you think The Mozart Question has to say to us in today's world? What can we learn from it?

The Mozart Question is a story of great hope, that even when we think we have nothing, hope can still be found. For the characters in The Mozart Question it is through music, but equally it could be in the kindness shown by another person. Never give up. 

There have been many adaptations of Michael Morpurgo books. What do you think makes his stories work so well on stage?

Well firstly I think because they are fantastic stories! They are the perfect combination of fact and fiction and his stories always have a universal appeal.  

How do you go about adapting someone else's text for the stage? How do you find the balance between staying faithful to the source material and bringing in your own creativity?

It’s a tricky balance.  I really wanted to keep Michael’s voice in this story, but also bring in a greater depth to the characters and backstory.  It was important for me to know about the true stories of musicians who played in the concentration camps which I researched a great deal.  The difficult part was transferring that knowledge back into the story, which is fiction and trying the marry the two.  

What advice would you give to someone who was setting out to adapt a book for the stage? What are the key things to consider?

I think consider the book the skeleton and you are adding the flesh. There’s a bridge to build between the paper book and the stage and that’s partly through the script but also working with the director on how best to achieve that. I think you each add to the skeleton so to speak. 

The Barn is famously a very small and intimate venue. Has that had an impact on how you have turned The Mozart Question into a play?

It has and it hasn’t. I didn’t know what the set would be when writing but I tried to keep things as simple as possible. I’d seen some of Jess Daniel’s work (the director) before and I knew she was very inventive with props so I always felt she would find a way to make elements work.  

What can people expect from The Mozart Question and why should they come to see the show?

It’s a wonderful story of hope which I think we all need right now.  

The Mozart Question is available to book now here.