Photograph by Tristram Kenton
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 19th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
Cast: Ian Bartholomew, Simon Coates, Hasan Dixon, Kevin Harvey, Joshua Higgott, Laurence Kennedy, Ellie Kirk, John McGrellis, Kristian Phillips, Lara Rossi, Nicolas Tennant, Roger Watkin.
The whole world is out for a fast buck, a sure fire way to make money no matter who suffers or is made a fool of. Such was the world during the time of Ben Jonson…and time hasn’t moved on any! Ben Jonson’s play The Alchemist is something different from the plays of the 17th century.
Away from the greats of the age; William Shakespeare, Thomas Decker, Aphra Behn, John Ford and William Rowley, Ben Jonson touched a nerve for its exciting use of language and exquisite plot lines as well as showcasing the greed that has been forever rampant in society. Fast forward some 400 years and times have not changed. In the hands of Director Robery Icke, the Playhouse Theatre and a tremendous acting company, the language of the time and the pursuit of ill gotten gains have never been funnier, nor more compelling to watch.
For the first play of the new season, there may have been those who wondered if the work of Ben Jonson could transfer across to the Playhouse Theatre. With the confidence of Gemma Bodinetz at the helm, the play and the performers were given the reign to be artistic and adventurous as it was humanly possible to do. Some of the physical violence/comedy was truly spellbinding and made for bold, brave and brilliant opening to the new season.
Amongst the cast strode Ian Bartholomew as the excellent deceiver Subtle. Ian Bartholomew carried on from where he left off when he was last in Liverpool as the superb creation by Bertold Brecht, – Arturo Ui. It takes a genius of an actor to go from being the parody of one of the most despicable human beings in Adolf Hitler to this likeable eccentric rogue. Many could try doing both parts, there are very few that would succeed. Joining Mr. Bartholomew on stage were the tremendous John McGrellis as Ananias, Kevin Harvey as man who saw through the deceit, Surley and Nicolas Tennant as the Barnum like ring master surveying every aspect of the long con.
The Alchemist may be a complex piece to put on but the endeavour and spirit in which the play was performed, presented and directed made is so well worth while and pure gold.
Ian D. Hall