** BOOKING IS NOW CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT **
Thursday 10 March 2016, 6-10pm
Join us for a special evening opening of our exhibition ‘Scholar, courtier, magician: the lost library of John Dee’.
A one-off opportunity to browse John Dee's books after dark, meet the curators and see a performance of The alchemist’s daughter, a play by Daisy Black inspired by Dee’s daughter Katherine, and performed by Rachel Mann.
Tickets: £12 per person | Public event - open to all
**Please note: the 6.30pm performance has now sold out. Tickets are still available for the 8pm performance**
The alchemist’s daughter will be performed twice at 6.30pm and 8pm (select your preferred time on booking) and explore the fascinating world of John Dee through our exhibition of his books and artefacts, view our specially-commissioned film by artist Jeremy Millar, and meet the exhibition curators.
Glass of wine or soft drink on arrival (included in ticket price) and cash bar throughout the evening.
If you experience any issues with our new online booking system, please email history@rcplondon.ac.uk and we will be able to help.
Programme
- 6pm: event opens
- Relax and enjoy the John Dee exhibition, browse our museum displays and explore our acclaimed Grade I listed building and watch artist Jeremy Millar’s specially commissioned film A constallation for John Dee - screened throughout the evening
- Meet the team who created the John Dee exhibition and take a closer look at Dee’s books with our rare books librarian Katie Birkwood - throughout the evening.
- 6.30pm: first performance of The alchemist’s daughter in the Dorchester Library (1 hour)
- 8pm: second performance of The alchemist’s daughter in the Dorchester Library (1 hour)
- 10pm: event closes
The alchemist's daughter
It is 1605, and mathematician John Dee has decided to leave Manchester, dogged by accusations of devil-worship, spying and trickery. He is accompanied by his daughter Katherine, who has followed her father from the court of Elizabeth I through Poland and Bohemia as he pursued knowledge, fame and the voices of angels.
Attempting to right the chaos of her father’s ransacked library at Mortlake, Katherine reflects on her father’s life and books: his role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada, his experiments in magic and his precarious position within the changing politics of the late Tudor court.
Was he a misunderstood renaissance man or a charlatan who deserved his unpopularity and fallen reputation?
Katherine Dee will be played by poet, actor and vicar Rachel Mann, and the play is directed by Daisy Black.
