NT : What's On : Productions : His Dark Materials Part I

His Dark Materials Part I

based on the novels by Philip Pullman
adapted by Nicholas Wright

His Dark Materials takes us on a thrilling journey through worlds familiar and unknown. For Lyra and Will, its two central characters, it’s a coming of age and a transforming spiritual experience. Their great quest demands a savage struggle against the most dangerous of enemies. They encounter fantastical creatures in parallel worlds - rebellious angels, soul-eating spectres, child-catching Gobblers and the armoured bears and witch-clans of the Arctic. Finally, before reaching, perhaps, the republic of heaven, they must visit the land of the dead.

His Dark Materials is an epic production both in its narrative scope and its staging, involving artists from new technologies as well as old. It is one of the National's most ambitious projects, and aims to create an experience as meaningful for 12 year olds (minimum recommended age) as for adults. This riveting story unfolds over the course of two plays.

His Dark Materials won Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Set Design for Giles Cadle and Best Lighting Design for Paule Constable.

See images from Part II

For information on how this production is staged, visit www.stagework.org.uk.

Cast credits:

Serafina Pekkala : Adjoa Andoh

Billy Costa : Mark Buchner

Lord Boreal : John Carlisle

Jessie : Michelle Dockery

Mrs Lonsdale : Vanessa Earl

Pantalaimon : Jamie Harding

Roger : Darren Hart

Iofur Raknison/Jeptha Jones : Don Gallagher

John Faa : Ian Gelder

Lord Asriel : David Harewod

Golden Monkey : Leo Kay

Farder Coram : David Killick

Ben : Pascal Langdale

Lilly : Samantha Lawson

Brother Jasper/Kaisa : Elliot Levey

Will : Michael Legge

Stelmaria : Emma Manton

Mrs Coulter : Lesley Manville

Professor Hopcraft : Iain Mitchell

Salcilia : Victoria Moseley

Daisy : Helen Murton

Dr Cade : Chike Okonkwo

Tony Costa : Harry Peacock

Lee Scoresby : Alan Perrin

Iorek : Alistair Petrie

Dr West : Dodger Phillips

Thorold/Balthamos : Samuel Roukin

Fra Pavel : Nick Sampson

Ruta Skadi/Betty : Rachel Sanders

Lyra : Elaine Symons

: Music played live by

Music Director/ keyboards : Mark Bousie

flute/piccolo/alto flute : Nancy Ruffer

trumpet : Colin Rae

trombone /euphonium : Tracy Holloway

cello : Joy Hawley

double-bass : David Berry

harp : Hugh Webb

percussion : Philip Hopkins

Production credits:

Director: Nicholas Hytner with Matt Wilde

Associate Director/Choreographer: Aletta Collins

Set Designer: Giles Cadle

Costume Designer: Jon Morrell

Puppet Designer: Michael Curry

Lighting Designer: Paule Constable

Associate Lighting Designer: Vic Smerdon

Music: Jonathan Dove

Music Director: Mark Bousie

Fight Director: Terry King

Sound Designer: Paul Groothuis

Video Projection Designer: Thomas Gray for The Gray Circle

Computer Graphics Designer: Yuri Tanaka for The Gray Circle

photo © Jerry Uelsmann (courtesy Laurence Miller Gallery, New York)

His Dark Materials Part I finished on: 2 April 2005

His Dark Materials

Olivier Theatre

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