Memories of Sid Caesar's brilliant satires arise while watching this classic, written by Shakespeare's major playwriting competitor. The period and platitudes in which Ben Jonson existed are vividly depicted in the recent hit movie, "Shakespeare In Love." Much of that scenario is apparent in this play, as it reflects the corruption of London society confronted with the Great Plague. The rapscallion elements thriving amid such social conditions are in full bloom. Although Jonson's dialogue is less grandiose than Shakespeare's, his themes in The Alchemist are as potent, and his characters here sport nicknames parodying their functions and personality, similar to Damon Runyan's endearing misfits.
The setting is Blackfriars, a low-toned district of 17th century London (where Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and his all-male troupe, The King's Men Company, were right at home). Jeremy, housekeeper to Lovewit, a learned doctor who has avoided the plague by fleeing to his country house, teams up with a professional con man, Subtle, who pretends he's a master alchemist with a cure for the epidemic and its resulting impotency. They fleece wealthy customers by turning cheap base metals into a gold potion. Thus lies the universality of The Alchemist. Jeremy is a masterful actor and master of disguise who, as Face -- a bogus army captain who recruits the lustful, vain, affluent clientele -- and a character called Lungs, the alchemist's assistant, operate the audacious scam.
Dr. Lovewit's well-appointed home becomes popular, masquerading as an elaborate alchemist's domain but offering bawdy services, for which a sexy whore, Dol Common, is additional bait. Everything goes well until Lovewit unexpectedly returns.
This lavish production suffers from a relentless pace, however, the b.o. numbers already indicate a 1999 season hit, due to a flawless cast, delicious design, and innovative use of the venue's Globe modeled stage.
