Powerful theatre requires not only a good script, talented actors and precise direction, it also requires the right atmosphere.

Staging Peter Shaffer’s “Amadeus” in the Round Top Center at Providence’s Beneficent Church provides the perfect space for this powerful play.

Director Alexander Platt has made good use of the beautiful old hall, with its high ceiling and wooden beams, sitting the musicians on stage behind a huge hanging crucifix (borrowed from Trinity Rep, where Gamm’s artistic director told me it was used in “Red Noses”). About 50 seats are set on the sides of the hall, with the action playing out on both ends and in front of the audience.

“Amadeus” is a memory play, where the mediocre court composer, Antonio Salieri, recalls his relationship with his brilliant, naïve and often crude nemesis, Wolfgang Mozart. Veteran actor Max Vogler gives the performance of his life as Salieri, on stage for over two and a half hours, changing (cleverly) from an old to a younger man, showing the range of emotions, and flawlessly reciting a number of lengthy soliloquies.

Salieri tells us up front that he is seeking understanding, not forgiveness, for his terrible treatment of Mozart, a man with true talent who is stifled at every turn by the less-talented musician. Salieri has settled for fame rather than talent.

Bryan Kimmelman is a perfect Mozart, a brilliant musician with the manners of a pig, spouting bad language and even worse attempts at humor. He becomes a pitiful character at the whim of Salieri, who sets out to destroy him without Mozart having a clue as to what is happening around him. Salieri tells the audience that his quarrel isn’t with Mozart but with God.

“God put us here to complete Him,” he raves. “Why else did he create us?” Platt uses only four other actors to play a number of parts, including women in men’s roles, and it works. The talented musicians help to enhance the play without distracting from it.

This was my first experience with The Elemental Theatre Collaborative, which involves education and community and business involvement, and I was quite impressed with their mission and talents.

“Amadeus” will be performed this Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. at Round Top Center, next to Beneficent Church on Weybosset St. in Providence (just up the street from PPAC). Tickets are only $12 for students and $20 regular admission. Call 838-3006 for reservations.