His Dark Materials is a stage adaptation by British playwright Nicholas Wright, based on Philip Pullman fantasy 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.
Contents
Premise
The play follows young Will Parry and Lyra Belacqua, and their adventures as they wander throughout parallel universes in a multiverse against a backdrop of epic events involving such beings as witches and armoured polar bears. The play deals with coming-of-age themes.
Divergences from the source material
Among other changes is the removal of the character of Dr. Mary Malone, whose role in the story given to the witch Serafina Pekala. The eponymous amber spyglass of the third novel, associated with Malone, is largely absent.
Productions
Original production
The original production was staged at the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre and ran from 20 December 2003 until 27 March 2004. The production was directed by Nicholas Hytner and featured the following cast:
Pantalaimon – Samuel Barnett
Lord Boreal – John Carlisle
Will Parry – Dominic Cooper
Serafina Pekkala – Niamh Cusack
Lord Asriel – Timothy Dalton
Farder Coram – Patrick Godfrey
John Faa – Stephen Greif
Billy Costa – Jamie Harding
Mrs Coulter – Patricia Hodge
Dr Cade – Akbar Kurtha
Jopari/Iofur Raknison – Chris Larkin
Tortured Witch/Harpy – Inika Leigh Wright
Salcilia – Helena Lymbery
Fra Pavel/Lee Scoresby – Tim McMullan
Professor Hopcraft – Iain Mitchell
Lyra Belacqua – Anna Maxwell Martin
Macaw Lady – Helen Murton
Stelmaria – Emily Mytton
Ruta Skadi – Cecilia Noble
Mrs Lonsdale – Katy Odey
2004 revival
The production was revived, again at the Olivier, National Theatre, in 2004. It opened on 20 November 2004 and ran until 2 April 2005. The production was again directed by Nicholas Hytner with Matt Wilde and featured the following cast:
Serafina Pekkala – Adjoa Andoh
Billy Costa – Mark Buchner
Lord Boreal – John Carlisle
Jessie – Michelle Dockery
Mrs Lonsdale – Vanessa Earl
Pantalaimon – Jamie Harding
Roger Parslow – Darren Hart
Iofur Raknison/Jeptha Jones – Don Gallagher
John Faa – Ian Gelder
Lord Asriel – David Harewood
Golden Monkey – Leo Kay
Farder Coram – David Killick
Ben – Pascal Langdale
Lilly – Samantha Lawson
Brother Jasper/Kaisa – Elliot Levey
Will Parry – Michael Legge
Stelmaria – Emma Manton
Mrs Coulter – Lesley Manville
Professor Hopcraft – Iain Mitchell
Salcilia – Victoria Moseley
Daisy – Helen Murton
Awards and nominations
The production won two Laurence Olivier Awards in 2005 for Best Set Design for Giles Cadle and Best Lighting Design for Paule Constable.