The Alchemist a hit at Belfountain P.S.

In Act I of The Alchemist, Santiago (played by Brendan Robins) begins to work for a Crystal Merchant (played by Amanda Hodge).

On the evenings of May 9 and 10 the pupils at Belfountain public school presented The Alchemist, an operetta written by Pamela J. Gibson.

The operetta, which incorporated two casts of primary and junior pupils, proved to be a huge success.

The story was centred on an Andalusian youth named Santiago who decided after escaping Seminary School to seek his treasure at the Pyramids of Egypt.

Upon meeting an Englishman during his journey, Santiago became intrigued to join him in a search for a wise man known as the Alchemist.

During their visit to the Al-Fayoum Oasis Santiago encountered a woman by the name of Fatima who later became his love interest in the story. After vowing to return to her after finding his fortune, "by chance" he met the Alchemist who challenged him to follow his heart and his treasure.

While the Alchemist agreed to accompany him across the desert, he taught Santiago many lessons that were proven very helpful to him during his journey. At one point Santiago and the Alchemist found themselves in the middle of a Tribal War where they were captured by Tribesmen. In an attempt to escape, the Alchemist promised the tribesman that Santiago would turn himself into the wind for their amusement. After many attempts, Santiago made this transition while frightening off the tribesman in the meantime.

After showing Santiago his final lesson - how to change lead into gold - the Alchemist abandoned Santiago to finish his journey to the Pyramids alone.

Unfortunately, while continuing on his journey, Santiago was accosted by bandits who left him for dead. All of a sudden the voice of the Alchemist is heard by Santiago, who is then guided into understanding that his treasures lied where his heart was (at home). In turn, he remembered his father's treasure under a sycamore tree near his home and returned back to Spain with Fatima to seek his "real" treasure.

The Alchemist provided an inspiring message for the audience and was a great success.