London, 1948
The war has ended and London is slowly trying to return to normal. Rationing is still in full swing and
rebuilding after the Blitz has yet to start in earnest. There is a sense of hope in the city but life is hard
for many. In such situations there will always be those looking for a way to get ahead… and also those
willing to exploit them. Three enterprising women have set up a thriving business in an empty house,
offering to predict the future, guarantee success in life and love, and, for the most favoured clients,
create the legendary philosopher’s stone. Unfortunately for the trio, there are those who are not
convinced by their schemes and are determined to see them brought to justice. Can they stay one step
ahead of the law, or will it all end in disaster..?

The plot
The action of The Alchemist takes place in one continuous scene in a room in the house of Lovewit, a
businessman who has temporarily left London. His house is left in the care of his maid, ‘Jessica’ (aka.
Face), a con artist who has teamed up with fortune teller Subtle and seductress Doll to fleece the
greedy and the gullible. A motley collection of characters passes through their doors looking for
money, love, sex, or all three. All is going well for the trio until the sceptical Surly arrives. His friend,
Sir Epicure Mammon, plans to use the philosopher’s stone to become fabulously wealthy, but Surly is
convinced that all is not as it seems. As Surly returns in disguise to uncover the trio’s schemes, the
interests of their clients begin to overlap and intertwine until their whole operation is in danger of
collapse. The last straw is the return of Lovewit to his house, leaving Face with no option to confess
all and bring Lovewit into her plans, abandoning Subtle and Doll to their fate.