The Alchemist
There’s a sucker born every minute, and Queensland Theatre Company has found the best of them in its first, hilarious production of the year The Alchemist, a co-production with Bell Shakespeare.
In Ben Jonson’s age-old classic, a pair of not-so-cunning conmen have their sights set on fleecing the gullible folk of London with extravagant claims to have discovered the Philosopher’s Stone, which turns metal into gold. Aided by an alluring call girl and her dubious charms, the duo are forced into ever-more convoluted scams as they struggle to stay one step ahead of greedy patrons, hypocritical clergymen and lovesick youth – as well as the long arm of the law.
Jonson’s sharp humour is laugh-out-loud funny and seems incredibly attuned to the cynical disillusions of our own age. The details of the scam may have changed with time, but the mechanics of the con, and the gullibility of human nature, remain just the same.
Director John Bell says, “The Alchemist is a brilliant comedy about people’s gullibility and willingness to be conned. It provides a fine cast of actors with a rich variety of comic characterisations as the con-men and their victims. Ben Johnson demonstrates that human greed and folly are much the same today as they were 400 years ago in this lively, boisterous and colourful satire.”
In this co-production with Bell Shakespeare, all that glitters might not be gold, but The Alchemist is a dazzling 24 carat comedy classic.
Dates
Mon 23 February 2009 - Sat 14 March 2009
Times
Mon - Tues 6.30pm Wed - Sat 7.30pm matinees Wed 1pm & Sat 2pm
Venue
QPAC Cremorne Theatrecnr Grey and Melbourne Street, South Bank
Cost
$40 - $63, Under 30: $30
Further information
Queensland Theatre CompanyEmail: mail [at] qldtheatreco [dot] com [dot] au
Phone: 07 3010 7600
Web: www.qldtheatreco.com.au
Bookings
Location
Cremorne Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts ComplexCnr Melbourne & Grey Streets, South Bank
Seating guide
Take a look at the Cremorne Theatre seating plan to see how close you are to the stage.Public transport
Train: South Brisbane Station is opposite QPAC in Grey Street.Bus from city: Departs from Blue stop in Adelaide Street; Orange Stop in Ann Street; Kangaroo A and B stops underneath the Myer Centre; William Street opposite the Treasury Building.
Bus to city: Departs the Cultural Centre Busway on Melbourne Street.
CityCat: A CityCat terminal is located adjacent to QPAC at South Bank.
Taxi: An undercover taxi set-down and pick-up area is provided at the Stage Door of QPAC. Free taxi phones are located in the taxi set-down area, in the Cremorne Theatre Lobby and the coffee shop level of the Playhouse.
Parking
Parking is available on site at the QPAC carpark. Entry via Melbourne St (turn right just before you get onto Victoria Bridge).
Opening hours: Monday 7am-10pm, Tuesday to Friday 7am-midnight, Saturday 8.30am - midnight, Sunday 8.30am-10pm.
There is a pre-paid parking service which offers guaranteed, safe and convenient parking for your visit to the theatre. Car park tickets are issued with your show tickets when booked through Qtix. If booking online, the option to select parking will be displayed when you purchase with your credit card or call Qtix on 13 62 46.
More parking is available at:
- Museum and Art Gallery (entry off Grey Street - just before the dinosaur! Or Stanley Street tunnel)
- Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (entry via Merivale Street or Grey Street)
- South Bank Parklands (Entry via Grey Street)
Accessibility
If you need assistance due to mobility difficulties or other specific needs, please mention your requirements when booking.
The Cremorne Theatre has Sennheiser Infra-Red Sound Reinforcement Systems for patrons with hearing impairments. Please enquire when booking.
