His Dark Materials (play)
Encyclopedia
His Dark Materials is a play written by British playwright Nicholas Wright
adapted from the Phillip Pullman fantasy novel trilogy of the same title. The production premiered in the Royal National Theatre
's Olivier Theatre, London, in 2003. Due to the complications in staging a piece containing the narrative of three books, the play was performed in two parts in alternate performances. The play is published by Nick Hern Books
.
of two children, Will Parry
and Lyra Belacqua
and their adventures as they wander through a series of parallel universes
against a backdrop of epic events. During their quest, the pair encounter various fantasy creatures such as witches and armoured polar bears in a journey which they hope will take them to The Republic of Heaven
.
There are however some substantial differences, most notably the removal of the character Dr. Mary Malone, whose role in the story is turned over to the witch Serafina Pekala. Similarly the eponymous amber spyglass of the third novel, associated with Malone, is also largely absent.
and ran from 20 December 2003 until 27 March 2004. The production was directed by Nicholas Hytner
and featured the following cast:
All other parts were played by members of the company.
The technical crew were as follows:
, in 2004. It opened on 20 November 2004 and ran until 2 April 2005. The production was again directed by Nicholas Hynter with Matt Wilde and featured the following cast:
The technical crew remained largely the same as the original production with only the following changes/additions:
in 2005 for Best Set Design for Giles Cadle and Best Lighting Design for Paule Constable
.
Nicholas Wright
Nicholas or Nick Wright may refer to:* Sir Nicholas Wright , English academic* Nick Wright , English footballer* Nick Wright , English footballer...
adapted from the Phillip Pullman fantasy novel trilogy of the same title. The production premiered in the Royal National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
's Olivier Theatre, London, in 2003. Due to the complications in staging a piece containing the narrative of three books, the play was performed in two parts in alternate performances. The play is published by Nick Hern Books
Nick Hern Books
Nick Hern Books is a London-based independent specialist publisher of plays, theatre books and screenplays. The company was founded by the former Methuen drama editor Nick Hern in 1988.-History:...
.
Synopsis
The play follows the same plot as the books - a story of the coming of ageComing of age
Coming of age is a young person's transition from childhood to adulthood. The age at which this transition takes place varies in society, as does the nature of the transition. It can be a simple legal convention or can be part of a ritual, as practiced by many societies...
of two children, Will Parry
Will Parry
Will Parry is one of the protagonists in Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials, along with Lyra Belacqua. He is first introduced into the series in the second novel, The Subtle Knife, and also appears in the final part of the trilogy, The Amber Spyglass...
and Lyra Belacqua
Lyra Belacqua
Lyra Belacqua , also known as Lyra Silvertongue, is the heroine of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Lyra is a young girl who inhabits a universe parallel to our own...
and their adventures as they wander through a series of parallel universes
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
against a backdrop of epic events. During their quest, the pair encounter various fantasy creatures such as witches and armoured polar bears in a journey which they hope will take them to The Republic of Heaven
The Republic of Heaven
The Republic of Heaven, in Philip Pullman's philosophical fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials from 2000, refers to the idea that humans must build their happiness in the here and now, and that the official Church's emphasis on the afterlife is no more than a diversion by the powerful to repress the...
.
There are however some substantial differences, most notably the removal of the character Dr. Mary Malone, whose role in the story is turned over to the witch Serafina Pekala. Similarly the eponymous amber spyglass of the third novel, associated with Malone, is also largely absent.
Original production
The original production was staged at the Olivier Theatre, National TheatreRoyal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
and ran from 20 December 2003 until 27 March 2004. The production was directed by Nicholas Hytner
Nicholas Hytner
Sir Nicholas Robert Hytner is an English film and theatre producer and director. He has been the artistic director of London's National Theatre since 2003.-Biography:...
and featured the following cast:
- Pantalaimon - Samuel BarnettSamuel Barnett (actor)Samuel Barnett is an English actor. He has performed on stage, film, television and radio, and achieved recognition for his work on the stage and film versions of The History Boys by Alan Bennett...
- Lord Boreal - John CarlisleJohn Carlisle (actor)John Carlisle is a British television and stage actor.John Carlisle had regular roles in Emergency - Ward 10, Scotland Yard on ABC, 1957–1958, and the London Weekend Television series New Scotland Yard as Detective Sergeant Ward.He also appeared in the BBC series The Omega Factor as the morally...
- Will ParryWill ParryWill Parry is one of the protagonists in Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials, along with Lyra Belacqua. He is first introduced into the series in the second novel, The Subtle Knife, and also appears in the final part of the trilogy, The Amber Spyglass...
- Dominic CooperDominic CooperDominic Edward Cooper is an English actor. He has worked in TV, film, theatre and radio, in productions including Mamma Mia!, The Duchess, The History Boys, and The Devil's Double.- Early life :... - Serafina Pekkala - Niamh CusackNiamh CusackNiamh Cusack is an Irish actress. The daughter of late Irish actor Cyril Cusack, she is the sister of Sinéad Cusack and Sorcha Cusack, and half sister of Catherine Cusack. Cusack played Dr Kate Rowan in the television drama series Heartbeat...
- Lord AsrielLord AsrielLord Asriel is a major character in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series and one of the main protagonists of Northern Lights.Asriel is a member of the English aristocracy in a parallel universe dominated by the Church...
- Timothy DaltonTimothy DaltonTimothy Peter Dalton ) is a Welsh actor of film and television. He is known for portraying James Bond in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill , as well as Rhett Butler in the television miniseries Scarlett , an original sequel to Gone with the Wind... - Farder Coram - Patrick GodfreyPatrick GodfreyPatrick Godfrey is a British actor of film, television and stage.Godfrey was born in the United Kingdom, the son of Lois Mary Gladys and Frederick Godfrey, who was a reverend...
- John FaaJohn FaaJohn Faa, the King of the Gypsies, was a historical character from Scotland, a contemporary of King James IV. Although historical sources place him in Dunbar, in the east of Scotland, much folklore associates him with the Galloway/Ayrshire border. He appears as a character in at least two novels,...
- Stephen Grief - Billy Costa - Jamie HardingJamie HardingJamie Harding is an English actor known for his role in the 2006 film, United 93.Harding has played major roles in several television shows, including Dalziel and Pascoe, Silent Witness and 24Seven, and minor roles in Resident Evil and the acclaimed TV-miniseries, Band of Brothers...
- Mrs Coulter - Patricia HodgePatricia HodgePatricia Ann Hodge is an English actor.-Early life:The daughter of the Royal Hotel owner/manager Eric and his wife Marion , Hodge attended Wintringham Girls' Grammar School on Weelsby Avenue in Grimsby and then St...
- Dr Cade - Akbar KurthaAkbar KurthaAkbar Kurtha is an actor born in India and living in England.Since 1993 Kurtha has played several roles in his native England and in the United States. He first appeared in the 1993 film Bhaji on the Beach in the role of Majit, and then played the lead role of “Farid” in the film My Son the...
- Jopari/Iofur Raknison - Chris LarkinChris LarkinChris Larkin is an English actor.He was born Christopher Stephens in the Middlesex Hospital in London and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He is the elder son of Dame Maggie Smith, and the late Sir Robert Stephens...
- Tortured Witch/HarpyHarpyIn Greek mythology, a harpy was one of the winged spirits best known for constantly stealing all food from Phineas...
- Inika Leigh Wright - Salcilia - Helena Lymbery
- Fra Pavel/Lee Scoresby - Tim McMullan
- Professor Hopcraft - Iain MitchellIain MitchellIain Mitchell is a British actor notable for his appearance as Thomas Cromwell in The Other Boleyn Girl and Superintendent Maitland in Agatha Christie's Poirot . Onstage he has appeared in La Cage aux Folles and the adaptation of His Dark Materials.-External links:...
- Lyra BelacquaLyra BelacquaLyra Belacqua , also known as Lyra Silvertongue, is the heroine of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Lyra is a young girl who inhabits a universe parallel to our own...
- Anna Maxwell MartinAnna Maxwell MartinAnna Maxwell Martin , sometimes credited as Anna Maxwell-Martin, is a two-time BAFTA award-winning English actress who has won acclaim for her performances as Lyra in His Dark Materials at the Royal National Theatre, as Esther Summerson in the BBC's 2005 adaptation of Bleak House, and as N in... - Macaw Lady - Helen Murton
- Stelmaria - Emily Mytton
- Ruta Skadi - Cecilia Noble
- Mrs Lonsdale - Katy Odey
- Thorold - Nick Sampson
- Iorek Byrnison - Dany Sapani
- Ben - Jason Thorpe
- Roger Parslow - Russell ToveyRussell ToveyRussell George Tovey is an English actor with numerous television, film and stage credits. Tovey is best known for playing the role of werewolf George Sands in the BBC's supernatural drama Being Human which started in 2008...
- Perkins - Daniel Tuite
- Astronomy Scholar/Dr West - Andrew Westfield
- Brother Jasper - Ben WhishawBen WhishawBenjamin John "Ben" Whishaw is an English actor who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Whishaw is perhaps best known for his breakthrough role as Hamlet, and his role as the lead character in Tom Tykwer's film Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.-Early life:Whishaw was born and raised in...
- Angelica - Katie Wimpenny
- Golden Monkey - Ben Wright
- Tony Costa - Richard Youman
All other parts were played by members of the company.
The technical crew were as follows:
- Set Designer - Giles Cadle
- Costume DesignerCostume DesignerA costume designer or costume mistress/master is a person whose responsibility is to design costumes for a film or stage production. He or she is considered an important part of the "production team", working alongside the director, scenic and lighting designers as well as the sound designer. The...
- Jon Morrell - Puppet DesignerPuppet designerA puppet designer is a person who designs and creates puppets for themselves or for other ventriloquists and puppeteers. Puppetry predates written history in many cultures, and seems to have evolved from the mask....
- Michael CurryMichael Curry (puppet designer)Michael Curry is an American production designer who lives in Portland, Oregon. He is also the owner and President of Michael Curry Design Inc... - Lighting DesignerLighting designerThe role of the lighting designer within theatre is to work with the director, choreographer, set designer, costume designer, and sound designer to create an overall 'look' for the show in response to the text, while keeping in mind issues of visibility, safety and cost...
- Paule ConstablePaule ConstablePaule Constable is a British lighting designer who won the 2005, 2006, and 2009 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design. She was also a nominee for four further productions and for a 2007 Tony Award on Broadway... - Video Projection Designer - Thomas Gray for The Gray Circle
- Computer Graphics DesignerComputer graphicsComputer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
- Yuri Tanaka for The Gray Circle - Choreographer/Associate Director - Aletta Collins
- Music ComposerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
- Jonathan DoveJonathan DoveJonathan Dove is a British composer of opera, choral works, plays, films, and orchestral and chamber music. He has arranged a number of operas for English Touring Opera and the City of Birmingham Touring Opera , including in 1990 a famous 18-player two-evening adaptation of Wagner's Der Ring des... - Music DirectorMusic directorA music director may be the director of an orchestra, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the co-ordinator of the musical ensembles in a university or college , the head bandmaster of a military band, the head...
- Steve Edis - Fight Director - Terry King
- Sound Designer - Paul GroothuisPaul GroothuisPaul Groothuis is an award-winning sound designer who has had a long and prolific career on the London stage. Groothuis was born in Holland and moved to the UK in 1979 to study Stage Management at the Central School of Speech and Drama. He joined the National Theatre on the South Bank in 1984 and...
2004 revival
The production was revived, again at the Olivier, National TheatreRoyal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
, in 2004. It opened on 20 November 2004 and ran until 2 April 2005. The production was again directed by Nicholas Hynter with Matt Wilde and featured the following cast:
- Serafina Pekkala - Adjoa AndohAdjoa AndohAdjoa Andoh is a British film, television, stage and radio actress of Ghanaian descent. Andoh is known on the UK stage for lead roles at the RSC, the National Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre and the Almeida Theatre, and is a familiar face on British television Adjoa Andoh (born 1962) is a British...
- Billy Costa - Mark Buchner
- Lord Boreal - John Carlisle
- Jessie - Michelle DockeryMichelle DockeryMichelle Dockery is an English actress of stage and screen. She has become best known for her role as Lady Mary Crawley in the ITV drama series Downton Abbey...
- Mrs Lonsdale - Vanessa Earl
- Pantalaimon - Jamie Harding
- Roger Parslow - Darren Hart
- Iofur Raknison/Jeptha Jones - Don Gallagher
- John Faa - Ian GelderIan GelderIan Gelder is an English actor who appeared in the TV movie of Rumpole of the Bailey as his university lecturer son. He has also played many other roles on stage and screen. His partner is actor Ben Daniels...
- Lord Asriel - David HarewoodDavid HarewoodDavid Harewood is a British actor.-Biography:David Harewood was born and grew up in the Small Heath area of Birmingham, England, where he attended St. Benedict's Junior School and Washwood Heath Comprehensive School. As a schoolboy, he excelled at all sports—from sprinting to basketball to rugby...
- Golden Monkey - Leo Kay
- Farder Coram - David Killick
- Ben - Pascal LangdalePascal LangdalePascal Langdale is an English actor, who has played supporting roles in a number of television dramas since 1999. Pascal Langdale also lent his voice and likeness to the critically acclaimed video game Heavy Rain, in which he played Ethan Mars...
- Lilly - Samantha Lawson
- Brother Jasper/Kaisa - Elliot LeveyElliot Levey-Biography:He is notable for his work in television, film and theatre - this has included the 2004 revival of the National Theatre production of His Dark Materials and the premieres of the musical Take Flight and the Bennett play The Habit of Art , along with Robespierre in Danton's Death...
- Will Parry - Michael LeggeMichael Legge (actor)Michael Legge is a Northern Irish actor.He has appeared in a number of stage, film, television and radio roles. He may be best known for playing the teenaged Frank McCourt in Alan Parker's 1999 film, Angela's Ashes....
- Stelmaria - Emma Manton
- Mrs Coulter - Lesley ManvilleLesley ManvilleLesley Manville is an award-winning English actress.-Early life:Born in Brighton, Manville was raised in Hove, East Sussex, one of three daughters of a taxicab driver. Training as a soprano singer from age 8, she twice became under-18 champion of Sussex...
- Professor Hopcraft - Iain MitchellIain MitchellIain Mitchell is a British actor notable for his appearance as Thomas Cromwell in The Other Boleyn Girl and Superintendent Maitland in Agatha Christie's Poirot . Onstage he has appeared in La Cage aux Folles and the adaptation of His Dark Materials.-External links:...
- Salcilia - Victoria Moseley
- Daisy - Helen Murton
- Dr Cade - Chiké OkonkwoChiké OkonkwoChiké Okonkwo is an English actor, known for portraying PC Clark in New Tricks and DC Callum Gada in Paradox.-Background:Born and raised in Kingston upon Thames, Okonkwo is of Nigerian descent...
- Tony Costa - Harry PeacockHarry Peacock (actor)Harry Peacock is an actor. His television and film credits include, among others, Gulliver's Travels , Wire in the Blood, Midsomer Murders and Kingdom with his father Trevor Peacock . Daniel Peacock is his brother.- References :*...
- Lee Scoresby - Alan Perrin
- Iorek Byrnison - Alistair PetrieAlistair PetrieAlistair Petrie is an English actor. In 2007 he has appeared in The Mark of Cain, The Whistleblowers and Cranford. As well as other TV work such as Emma and The Forsyte Saga: To Let, he has also appeared in the music video for "Bellissimo" by Ilya, directed by the Guard Brothers...
- Dr West - Dodger Phillips
- Thorold/Balthamos - Samuel RoukinSamuel RoukinSamuel Roukin is an English actor.Roukin was born in Southport, and currently lives in Kentish Town, North London. He displayed an interest in drama from an early age...
- Fra Pavel - Nick Sampson
- Ruta Skadi/Betty - Rachel Sanders
- Lyra Belacqua - Elaine SymonsElaine SymonsElaine Symons is an Irish actress active on television since 1997.She is most notable for her role as alcoholic mother-of-five Rose Kelly in the BBC One school TV drama Waterloo Road, making her first appearance in the first episode of the show's fourth series, screened on 7 January 2009...
The technical crew remained largely the same as the original production with only the following changes/additions:
- Associate Lighting Designer - Vic Smerdon
- Music Director - Mark Bousie
Awards and nominations
The production won two Laurence Olivier AwardsLaurence Olivier Awards
The Laurence Olivier Award is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre. Named after the renowned British actor Laurence Olivier, they are given for West End shows and other productions staged in London...
in 2005 for Best Set Design for Giles Cadle and Best Lighting Design for Paule Constable
Paule Constable
Paule Constable is a British lighting designer who won the 2005, 2006, and 2009 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design. She was also a nominee for four further productions and for a 2007 Tony Award on Broadway...
.
See also
- His Dark MaterialsHis Dark MaterialsHis Dark Materials is a trilogy of fantasy novels by Philip Pullman comprising Northern Lights , The Subtle Knife , and The Amber Spyglass...
- His Dark Materials terminologyHis Dark Materials terminologyThis article, His Dark Materials terminology, details the various terminology used in the His Dark Materials trilogy written by Philip Pullman.-Alternate naming and other words:...
- The Golden Compass (film)