If you listen closely, you might hear the neighbours whispering through Auckland’s high-end apartment complex, The Cutlass. They’re whispering about the glamorous new Australian couple, Trudi and Stephen, who have moved in down the hall. Rumour has it they’ve moved to New Zealand for a new business opportunity: selling the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Trudi and Stephen are whispering too. They know Sir Robert Kingswood, long-time resident of The Cutlass, is worth millions. Not to mention Catherine who lives upstairs — since her husband died her bank account has been looking very healthy indeed. They’ve noticed poor young Trevor doesn’t have much money, and they’ve also noticed he’s a gullible fool.

With double-crosses, dirty tricks and all the dodgy dealings you can throw at a JAFA, Roger Hall’s rejuvenation of The Alchemist is a laugh-a-minute satire of how fools and their money are soon parted.