The Alchemist (1967)
by Ben Jonson
Designed & Directed by Alex Kanrex
Performances: Mon 30th October– Sun 6th November 1967, Theatre
Contents
Introduction
From the programme of this show. "The Alchemist" was first acted at the Globe Theatre by the King's Men in 1610, probably with Richard Burbage as Face. Since then it has been continuously popular, especially after the Restoration and throughout the eighteenth century.
The reason for this popularity is not hard to find; the play is considered to be one of the most perfect plots ever planned. The characters are universal, the theme of human folly, particularly that obsessive greed which betrays fools into the hands of expert manipulators.
Its message remains valid today - con-men, like the poor are always with us.
The "Penguin" edition of Johnson's First Folio "Workes", which was published in 1616, was used and only the most obscure references were deleted.
Cast
- Subtle, the Alchemist - Charles Commerford
- Face, the Housekeeper & Brothel-Captain - Paul Beech
- Dol Common, their colleague, a Doxy - Julia Stratton
- Daper, a clerk - Keith Walsley
- Drugger, a tobacco man - Christopher Rose
- Sir Epicure Mammon, a Knight - Vic Shaw
- Surley, a Gamester - Gerald Knights
- Charity Wholesome, a Puritan Deaconess - Carol Eldred
- Tribulator Wholesome, her sister, also a Puritan - Katharine Stratton
- Kastril, the Angry Boy - Simon Coady
- Dame Pliant - Sheila Compton
- Lovewitt, the Master of the House - Bob Ball
- Neighbourd - Lesley Morris, Pamela James, Sheila Rees, Sylvia Meeks, Val Youngman, Brian Alberici, Norman Bradshaw, Jim Harman
- Parson - Nick Robbins
- Street Cryers - Wendy Neal, Mary Prindle, Malvina Spriggs, Charles Turner
Crew
- Stage Manager - John Woodroofe
- A.S.M.s - Jessica Barber, Rick McGuire, Barry Weyman, Joan Spriggs
- Lighting - Ted Neal
- Sound - John Alford
- Costumes - Jean Firminger
- Scenic Artist - Frances Fisher
- Assistant to the director - Lynda Taylor
- F.O.H. Manager - Frank Howcutt
Reviews
Some review quotes go here
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.
See Also
The only other Ben Jonson play we have produced to date (June 2007) was Volpone almost exactly 40 years later.
