The Alchemist

Polly Findlay directed Ben Jonson’s hilarious satire that revels in just how vain we can be.

Polly Findlay's adaptation of Jonson's The Alchemist ran in in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon during summer 2016, then transferred to the Barbican.

Production Gallery

Siobhan McSweeney as Dol Common in The Alchemist

Siobhán McSweeney as Dol Common in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Ken Nwosu as Face in The Alchemist

Ken Nwosu as Face in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Siobhán McSweeny as Dol Common, Ken Nwosu as Face and Mark Lockyer as Subtle in The Alchemist

Siobhán McSweeny as Dol Common, Ken Nwosu as Face and Mark Lockyer as Subtle in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Siobhan McSweeney as Dol Common in The Alchemist

Siobhán McSweeney as Dol Common in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Richard Leeming as Abel Drugger in The Alchemist

Richard Leeming as Abel Drugger in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Tom McCall as Kastril in The Alchemist

Tom McCall as Kastril in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Joshua McCord as Dapper and Mark Lockyer as Subtle in The Alchemist

Joshua McCord as Dapper and Mark Lockyer as Subtle in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Ian Redford as Sir Epicure Mammon in The Alchemist

Ian Redford as Sir Epicure Mammon in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Tim Samuels as Sir Pertinax Surly in The Alchemist

Tim Samuels as Sir Pertinax Surly in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Rosa Robson as Dame Pliant and Mark Lockyer as Subtle in The Alchemist

Rosa Robson as Dame Pliant and Mark Lockyer as Subtle in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Tom McCall as Kastril and Rosa Robson as Dame Pliant in The Alchemist

Tom McCall as Kastril and Rosa Robson as Dame Pliant in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Joshua McCord as Dapper and Siobhan McSweeney as Dol Common in The Alchemist

Joshua McCord as Dapper and Siobhán McSweeney as Dol Common in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
The Company of The Alchemist

The Company of The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Tom McCall as Kastril, Ken Nwosu as Face and Mark Lockyer as Subtle in The Alchemist

Tom McCall as Kastril, Ken Nwosu as Face and Mark Lockyer as Subtle in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
The Company of The Alchemist

The Company of The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
Joshua McCord as Dapper and Siobhan McSweeney as Dol Common in The Alchemist

Joshua McCord as Dapper and Siobhán McSweeney as Dol Common in The Alchemist

Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC – Image Licensing
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The story

When London is hit by an outbreak of the plague, the wealthy Lovewit flees to the country, leaving his townhouse in the hands of his trusted butler, Jeremy.

No sooner has his master left, Jeremy begins turning the house into a den of criminal activity. Assuming an alias, he recruits fellow conman Subtle and prostitute Doll Common to help him and sets out to rip-off half of London. Soon every knock at the front door is another unwitting victim begging to be relieved of their cash.

Things couldn't be going better for the gleeful trio until they receive a very unwelcome visitor.

Company

Will Bliss - Neighbour/Officer
John Cummins - Ananias
Ruth Everett - Neighbour
Gabriel Fleary - Neighbour/Officer
Theo Fraser Steele - Neighbour
Natey Jones - Neighbour/Officer
Richard Leeming - Abel Drugger
Mark Lockyer - Subtle
Tom McCall - Kastril 
Joshua McCord - Dapper;
Siobhán McSweeney - Dol Common
Hywel Morgan - Lovewit
Ken Nwosu - Face
Ian Redford - Sir Epicure Mammon 
Rosa Robson - Dame Pliant
Tim Samuels - Sir Pertinax Surly
Timothy Speyer - Tribulation Wholesome
Eleanor Wyld - Neighbour 

Creatives

Director - Polly Findlay
Designer - Helen Goddard
Lighting - Charles Balfour
Music - Corin Buckeridge
Sound - Gregory Clarke
Movement - Clive Mendus
Fights - Kate Waters
Original prologue and script revisions - Stephen Jeffreys

Play trailer

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