黑暗元素 (2003)

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.

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

Thorold – Nick Sampson

Iorek Byrnison – Dany Sapani

Ben – Jason Thorpe

Roger Parslow – Russell Tovey

Perkins – Daniel Tuite

Astronomy Scholar/Dr West – Andrew Westfield

Brother Jasper – Ben Whishaw

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 Designer – Jon Morrell

Puppet Designer – Michael Curry

Lighting Designer – Paule Constable

Video Projection Designer – Thomas Gray for The Gray Circle

Computer Graphics Designer – Yuri Tanaka for The Gray Circle

Choreographer/Associate Director – Aletta Collins

Music Composer – Jonathan Dove

Music Director – Steve Edis

Fight Director – Terry King

Sound Designer – Paul Groothuis

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

Dr Cade – Chiké Okonkwo

Tony Costa – Harry Peacock

Lee Scoresby – Alan Perrin

Iorek Byrnison – Alistair Petrie

Dr West – Dodger Phillips

Thorold/Balthamos – Samuel Roukin

Fra Pavel – Nick Sampson

Ruta Skadi/Betty – Rachel Sanders

Lyra Belacqua – Elaine Symons

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

In 2009 the Birmingham Repertory Theatre presented a new production directed by Rachel Kavanaugh before transferring to the West Yorkshire Playhouse and touring the UK.

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.