Ben Jonson's The Alchemist concerns a wily servant, Face, who develops a scheme to make money, while his master is away in the countryside. He gives access to his master's house to a charlatan named Subtle, and a prostitute named Doll.
Play title: The Alchemist
Author (s): Ben Jonson (edited by: Elizabeth Cook)
Publisher: New Mermaid
Publication Date: 1966 (New Mermaid)
Primary Discipline: Chemistry
Scientist (s): Fictional
Source Texts:
Remarks on Three Plays of Benjamin Jonson, viz Volpone, Epicoene, and The Alchemist by John Upton
The Works of Ben Jonson, ed. William Gifford, 3 vols.
The Alchemist, ed. C.M.Hathaway
Ben Jonson, ed. C.H.Herford, P. &E. Simpson, 11 vols.
The Alchemist, ed. D. Brown
The Alchemist, ed. F.H.Mares
The Alchemist, ed. A.Kernan
Ben Jonson, ed. Ian Donaldson
Character Breakdown: 10 Men, 2 Women, Ensemble
Subtle, Face, Dol Common, Dapper, Drugger, Loverwit, Epicure Mammon, Surly, Tribulation, Ananias, Kastril, Dame Pliant, Neighbors, Officers, Mutes
Setting: London
Time Period: 1610
Synopsis of Play: Ben Jonson's The Alchemist concerns a wily servant, Face, who develops a scheme to make money, while his master is away in the countryside. He gives access to his master's house to a charlatan named Subtle, and a prostitute named Doll. Subtle disguises himself as an alchemist, with Face as his servant; Doll disguises herself as a zealous Puritan. Together, the three of them gull and cheat an assortment of foolish clients. https://stageagent.com/shows/play/2349/the-alchemist
First Performance Date: September, 1610
First Producer: Oxford
Performance History: The Alchemist was entered into the Stationer's Register on October 3rd, 1610. The earliest performance of which a record has been found was in Oxford in September 1610. Also, The Alchemist went on tour with Othello.
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/jun/12/alchemist-rsc-observer-review
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/theatre-reviews/the-alchemist-evil-triumphs-over-good-in-ben-jonsons-1610-comedy/article26053769/
https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/theatre/stratfords-the-alchemist-review-a-brilliant-farce
https://variety.com/2006/legit/reviews/the-alchemist-2-1200513105/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/theatre-the-alchemist-at-the-swan-stratford-upon-avon-5d0ql7wsl
https://theoxfordculturereview.com/2014/07/16/review-the-alchemist/
http://www.curtainup.com/alchemistdc09.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/drama/3655295/Falling-for-the-oldest-tricks-in-the-book.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/the-alchemist-national-theatre-olivier-london-416432.html
http://articles.latimes.com/1989-10-14/entertainment/ca-16_1_original-jonson
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/17/nyregion/a-review-of-the-alchemist-in-madison.html
http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/leisure/theatre/14637774.Review__The_Alchemist___Swan_Theatre__Stratford___39_Jonson_comedy_delights_Stratford_audiences__39_/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/12/AR2009101202762.html?noredirect=on
The New Jersey Shakespeare Theatre, Photo: Jerry Dalia Stratford Festival Production, Photo: David Hou
Stratford Festival Production, Photo: David Hou Royal Shakespeare Company, Photo: Helen Maybanks
2014, The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey Royal Shakespeare Company, Photo: Helen Maybanks
Royal Shakespeare Company, Photo: Helen Maybanks Royal Shakespeare Company, Photo: Helen Maybanks
The Doctor's Dilemma