Nolan, Clive: Alchemy Live Box Set (DVD/CD)

Clive Noland is back with more new music and an unbelievably complete new box set theatrical story of Alchemy, his latest creation featuring many of the talented actors and singers from Caamora Theatre Company, and his last theatrical presentation Caamora - She. I bought the Caamora She CD set back in 2008, and enjoyed it immensely throughout that and the next year.

Alchemy is even bigger…if that is possible. This box set is spectacular looking and sounding. The open box is at least a full yard long, containing 3 CDs, (Two CDs containing Act I and II of the theatrical performance and a third CD of bonus music including early demos and different versions of some of the tracks). It also contains two DVDs, the first is the theatrical performance in its entirety, and the second is a set of artist interviews and video out-takes from the production. It is as complete a box set as any fan of Clive's work could ever wish to receive or purchase.

Alchemy was filmed in February 2013 at the Wyspiański Theater in Katowice, Poland. This is a favorite venue of both Nolan and his band Pendragon. The fans in the audience were listening to every note and act of this presentation intensely. They clapped loudly and you could tell they enjoyed the production by their sincerity of their ovations.

Alchemy is a dark story of a race between good and evil alchemists rushing to use alchemy to open a gate between the living and the dead. The production is set in 1842, and the costumes fit the performance well. The production features: vocalists Tracy Hitchings (Strangers On A Train, Landmarq), Andy Sears (Twelfth Night), Paul Manzi, (Arena, Oliver Wakeman Band) and Damian Wilson (Threshold, Headspace). The musicians supporting the story with deep dark canyons of sound include Mark Westwood (guitars), Scott Higham (drums), Claudio Momberg (piano), and Kylan Amos (bass). Nolan, the keyboardist of Arena, Shadowland and Pendragon also adds some keyboards of his own during a few of the non-theatrical moments of the production.

The live theatrical performance includes: Agnieszka Świta, as Amelia Darvis; David Clifford, as William Gardelle; Victoria Bolley, as Eva Bonaduce; Andy Sears as Lord Henry Jagman; Christopher Longman as Ben Greaves; Tracy Hitchings as Jane Muncey; Damian Wilson as Captain Joseph Farrell; Paul Manzi as Milosh; Chris Lewis, as Thomas Anzeray; Soheila Clifford, as Jessamine; and Clive Nolan as Professor Samuel King.

The box set includes a documentary: The Making of Alchemy. The box set includes a 24 page booklet with all of the lyrics and scene details for the theatrical production, along with credits and snapshots from the production.

Despite the unending dark tones and somber mood that permeates the entire production…and it is a long production…the story is very interesting and the actors and singers draw you into their characters well. The music is well developed and at times even encourages the audience and viewers to join in, especially "Quarternary Plan", "The Labyrinth", and "The End Justifies the Means".

For me, Agnieszka Świta stole the stage as she did in She. Her voice is overwhelming and outshines all other vocalists. I had to go back and listen to some of She after I finished watching Alchemy, to re-enjoy that classic. Her unique voice with its wonderful accent is just mesmerizing. Thanks Clive for the reminder.

This is a must buy for any fan of Clive Nolan's work. So complete, it will save you money by purchasing the complete story in one gorgeous case. For those listeners new to Clive Nolan or his other projects this is a great introduction to one of the UK's most creative talents. He has put allot of work and smart development into this complete production. Few coins were spared to bring this dream to life. As Clive Nolan said: Alchemy is for me the biggest musical and artistic challenge I have ever attempted. I really didn't expect a bigger 'mountain' to climb than the She project, but I was wrong. This show is simply larger in structure and depth. By the time we do the Cheltenham shows, it will have been four years of my life!" This type of effort should be both appreciated and purchased. It is harder and harder to find creative talent willing to spend four years on any creative project these days.

So sit back in your favorite easy chair, put another log on the fire, grab a big bag of popcorn and your favorite beverage and enjoy Professor Samuel King's duel with Lord Henry Jagman before your spring and summer outdoor adventures begin.

Tracklist:

DVDs:

DVD I - Act I:

1. Prologue
2. Deception
3. One for the Noose
4. The Warning
5. Amelia
6. King Explains
7. Desperate Days
8. Planning a Break In
9. Quaternary Plan
10. The Unwelcome Guest
11. Waiting for News
12. The Girl I Was
13. Highgate

DVD II - Act II:

14. The Labyrinth
15. Ambush
16. Tide of Wealth
17. Jagman Arrives
18. The End Justifies the Means
19. Sanctuary
20. Street Fight
21. Amelia Dies
22. Burial at Sea
23. Share this Dream
24. Treachery
25. The Ritual
26. Anzeray Speaks
27. Aftermath

DVD III – Bonus:

The Making of Alchemy
Interview with Clive Nolan
Interview with Agnieszka Świta and David Clifford
Interview with Scott Higham and Mark Westwood
Extras:
Photo gallery
Desktop images
1. Alchemy Advert
2. Amelia Sting
3. King Sting
4. Anzeray Sting
5. Jagman Sting
6. Farrell Sting
7. Milosh Sting
8. Eva Sting
9. Jessamine Sting
10. Gardelle Sting
11. Greaves Sting
12. Muncey Sting
13. An Interview with Clive Nolan
14. The Fundraisers - A Tribute
15. Zoertermeer Fundraiser - Covenant of Faith
16. Zoertermeer Fundraiser - Closer
17. Zoertermeer Fundraiser - Desperate Days
18. Zoertermeer Fundraiser - The Warning
19. Guitars for Alchemy with Mark Westwood
20. Magda's HandyCam Diary
21. Clive Nolan Discusses the Alchemy Themes

CD 1 – Alchemy Live Act I:

1. Prologue
2. Deception
3. One for the Noose
4. The Warning
5. Amelia
6. King Explains
7. Desperate Days
8. Planning a Break In
9. Quaternary Plan
10. The Unwelcome Guest
11. Waiting for News
12. The Girl I Was
13. Highgate

CD 2 – Alchemy Live Act II:

1. The Labyrinth
2. Ambush
3. Tide of Wealth
4. Jagman Arrives
5. The End Justifies the Means
6. Sanctuary
7. Street Fight
8. Amelia Dies
9. Burial at Sea
10. Share this Dream
11. Treachery
12. The Ritual
13. Anzeray Speaks
14. Aftermath

Bonus CD:

1. Overture - Song of the Dark
2. The Holy Bond
3. Amelia (First Draft)
4. The Unwelcome Guest (Early Version)
5. Desperate Days (Soheila Mix)
6. Ambush (Original Demo)
7. Tide of Wealth (with Bass Milosh)
8. Invisible (Victoria Mix)
9. The Romans are Coming
10. Burial at Sea (Original Demo)
11. Sanctuary (Clive and Noel Mix)
12. The Nightmare
13. Street Fight (Original Demo)
14. Snow Chase
15. The Graveyard
16. Final Chords (First Version)

Added: March 4th 2014
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: http://www.clivenolan.net/index.php?option=com_con
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Language: english

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