Mohan Kapoor (in black) in the title role in The Alchemist at the Oberoi Grand. Picture by Amit Datta

Shepherd boy Santiago, the hero of Paulo Coelho’s bestseller novel The Alchemist, undertook his magical journey for a select gathering at the Oberoi Grand ballroom on Thursday evening.

Adapted by writer Deepa Gahlot and condensed into 90 minutes for the stage, The Alchemist, directed by Mahesh Dattani, is a high-octane theatrical alchemy of fluid sets, intelligent lighting, soulful singing and powerful actors who converted the symbols, omens and philosophies of Coelho’s book into a stirring experience.

Santiago’s gruelling journey through bazaars, pyramids and deserts was a trick of stagecraft brought about by changing sheer curtains in plain and abstract shades and shimmers. “We have 25 people handling 40 pieces of set that collapses into 40 suitcases. A superstructure with steel bars supports the entire set loaded with intelligent lights monitored through a computer,” explained producer Ashvin Gidwani, known for producing plays like Cotton 56, Polyester 84, PunchATantra and Funny Thing Called Love in Mumbai.

The play had two Santiagos. The younger one, who undertakes the voyage of discovery, is played by Tarun Singh Negi. The older one, who recounts Santiago’s experiences, is played by Asif Ali Baig. While Mohan Kapoor managed to hold the audience’s breath as the swash-buckling Alchemist, Asif’s narrative voice singing out the highs and lows of Santiago’s journey was a pleasant surprise.

“Playing the Alchemist happened quite magically for me. I came back to performing after a seven-year hiatus and this was the first thing that I was offered. I had just finished reading the novel a second time when Mahesh (Dattani) called me, so it was all very fresh in my mind. All I needed to do was immerse myself in the visuals of what I had read,” Kapoor told t2 after the show. Towards the latter half of the play, Kapoor emerges in dark headgear and gypsy pants as Santiago’s pathfinder. “It’s all about life’s truisms, so with every show I discover a new meaning and intonate differently,” he added.

After premiering in Mumbai this April, The Alchemist has already travelled Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai finishing 35 shows before coming down to Calcutta for the supper theatre show at The Grand.

Unfortunately, the supper theatre format failed to do justice to The Alchemist’s dark and enchanting world of magical escapisms. The noise of clattering wine glasses and unrestricted movement of guests in and out of the ballroom took away much of the magic.

Those who missed out on the Thursday staging can look forward to February 2010 when the team will be back for a public show at Kalamandir.