Clive Nolan - Alchemy

(CD 2013, 61:43/ 57:12, Metal Mind MASCD1469DGD)

The tracks:
Act 1
  1- Prologue/Overture(3:21)
  2- Deception(5:36)
  3- One For The Noose(5:42)
  4- The Warning(4:06)
  5- Amelia(4:10)
  6- King Explains(5:35)
  7- Desperate Days(2:43)
  8- Planning A Break-in(1:21)
  9- Quaternary Plan(5:18)
10- The Unwelcome Guest(4:55)
11- Waiting For News(4:32)
12- The Girl I Was(6:06)
13- Highgate(8:17)
Act 2
  1- The Labyrinth(4:43)
  2- Ambush(3:09)
  3- Time Of Wealth(5:57)
  4- Jagman Arrives(1:46)
  5- The End Justifies The Means(3:33)
  6- Sanctuary(5:44)
  7- Street Fight(3:26)
  8- Amelia Dies(3:21)
  9- Burial At Sea(6:22)
10- Share This Dream(3:37)
11- Treachery(4:22)
12- The Ritual(2:13)
13- Anzeray Speaks(5:04)
14- Aftermath(3:53)

Website      Metal Mind Productions


Clive Nolan has for 20 years been one of the leading lights in symphonic prog through being the regular keyboards player with major bands including Pendragon, Arena, Shadowland and Caamora. In 2005, he added to his impressive canon of work by composing his first musical She which was subsequently staged in Holland, the UK, Poland and surprisingly, Bolivia.

However, Alchemy is a completely original piece penned by Nolan, a Victorian Steampunk musical melodrama set in 1842 which has all the essential ingredients for a rattling good yarn - adventure, love and passion, betrayal and revenge, and the ever present quest for power.

Central to the plot is Professor Samuel King played by Nolan who sets off to find three hidden artefacts left behind by alchemist, Thomas Anzeray. But the villain of the piece Lord Jagman (Andy Sears), who thinks King is dead, is also off in pursuit of the artefacts, firstly by tricking mystery girl Amelia Darvas, played by Caamora Theatre Company star Agnieszka Swita. After being double-crossed Amelia finds herself sentenced to a public execution but is saved by King and his friends.

After that, it is a race against time between King and Jagman to get their hands on the artefacts and perform a ritual to open the door between life and death.

The music is as dramatic as the plot but stays well within the confines of recognised rock opera with lots of over the top performances, notably by Sears who revels in his wicked, wicked ways. Just listen to The Ends Justifies The Means to get a cut of his evil jib.

From the opening prologue, Nolan's compositions never let up in their grand guignol style or give you chance to pause for breath. There are shades of The Phantom Of The Opera at certain junctures but, overall, Alchemy has a magic all of its own.

Among the choicest tracks One For The Noose has a stately severity about it with its sedate drum beats and restrained chorus lines, and Nolan reveals himself a singer and actor of exceptional ability, especially on King Explains and Quaternary Plan, the latter being a jolly romp.

Highgate is another chance for Sears to unleash his devilry and Swita her assertiveness to the background of some wonderful lush instrumentation, including a gypsy fiddle depicting some revelry as the Hellfire Club assembles in the cemetery.

The romantic duos between Swita and her beau William Gardelle, played by Red Jasper's David Clifford, one of She's cast members, who is also blessed with a fine theatrical voice, are particularly effective especially on Sanctuary where there is real power and feeling in their vocal chemistry.

The cast also includes Damian Wilson and Tracy Hitchings of Landmarq in small cameo roles, along with former IQ singer Paul Menel and Nolan's Arena bandmate Paul Manzi.  

It is one of those albums which demands close attention throughout and credit should go to Nolan for unleashing his inner Lord Lloyd-Webber for the composition and painstaking attention to detail which has gone into the making of this enjoyable slice of Victorian hokum. Catch the cast performing it live next month at Cheltenham Playhouse on September 5, 6 and 7 with an all-star cast. It should be quite an occasion!

**** Alison Henderson

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