The Oxford Dictionary of Plays

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The Alchemist

Alchemist, The

Author: Ben Jonson

First Performance: 1610, London

Published: 1612; rev. 1616

Genre: Com. in 5 acts; blank verse and prose

Setting: House in Blackfriars, London, 1610

Cast: 10m, 2f, extras

Because of the threat of plague, a householder has left his home for the country, leaving his man Face in charge. Face has invited an alchemist Subtle and a prostitute Dol Common into the house, where they have formed a bargain to work together to exploit a series of gullible clients. They persuade a lawyer's clerk Dapper that he is allied to the Queen of Fairy. They promise advancement and good fortune to Drugger, a tobacconist. To Sir Epicure Mammon they undertake to reveal the secret of the philosopher's stone, which will turn base metal into gold. Despite the scepticism of his friend Surly, Sir Epicure...

[The entire page is 540 words long]

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