An ambitious, poètic, philosophical text of life, humanity and freedom.

We are in 16th century Flanders and we accompany Zenon, a doctor and alchemist, in the final years of his life. L’alquimista is an adaptation of the novel by Marguerite Yourcenar L'Œuvre au noir (© Gallimard), which recreates a Europe halfway between the darkness of the Middle Ages and the light of the Renaissance. A world that we see as almost dystopian while exploring issues in an almost visionary way.

L'Œuvre au noir is a fascinating historical novel by Marguerite Yourcenar on humanity and freedom. An historical novel that takes place in Europe in the middle of a war and in a deep moment of crisis and transition. It’s a mind-blowing, poetic, philosophical and a vertiginous journey through time and our continent. There are so many echo’s from today.

I love Yourcenar’s writing. It’s radical in every way. Its brilliant and demanding. And most of all: It offers -because of its stucture- many opportunities for the stage. I’m really excited to create the story of the alchemist Zenon in Teatre Nacional de Catalunya.

We have a wonderful team, with people from Belgium, France and Catalunya… It's an interesting European collaboration, a true obra de teatre in every meaning of the word, where so many languages come together and make each other stronger. L’alquimista is a (hist)story of (another) Europe, dreaming and reflecting a more united, human and free future.

Michael De Cock