A Recipe for the Perfect Alchemist.

~ An old and refined London setting.

~ A base coat of slick wit.

~ 3 spoonfuls of wickedness
(Face, Subtle, Dol Common).

~ 5+ fleeceable fools.

~ 5+ indignant neighbours.

~ Infinite layers of tricking.

~ A dash of guesswork.

~ A healthy dose of hilarity (approx. 2.5 hours' worth is best; apply when all ingredients are proven and prepped) (also give recipients of hilarity time between doses of 1.25 – so they may freshen accompanying drinks and recover from exposure to excellent farce). 

Image credit (Photographer & copyright): Helen Maybanks (c) RSC.

Tips for a truly stellar production: cast Ken Nwosu, Mark Lockyer and Siobhan McSweeney, allow them to bewitch and enchant those onstage and in the audience; ensure Polly Findlay directs with Josh Roche assisting for utter deliciousness; keep candles burning throughout for maximum atmosphere; cut and snip text – Stephen Jeffreys is best for this; engage with the punters wherever possible; turn things over now and again for freshness.

Image credit (Photographer & copyright): Helen Maybanks (c) RSC.

Image credit (Photographer & copyright): Helen Maybanks (c) RSC.

WARNING: do not forget the risk of the Plague. 

Image credit (Photographer & copyright): Helen Maybanks (c) RSC.

For more information and inspiring practical demonstration, I'd advise you see RSC's performance of 'The Alchemist' at the Barbican. 

Running until 1st October, 2016.

Image credit (Photographer & copyright): Helen Maybanks (c) RSC.