IT PROMISES to be one of the most spectacular productions of the region’s spring theatre season.
A stage adaptation of Philip Pullman’s inventive and atmospheric trilogy, His Dark Materials which opens at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds tomorrow (May 30).
Nicholas Wright has adapted Pullman’s epic story for the stage and Pullman himself will be in Leeds on Monday (June 1) to talk about his work.
What the Playhouse has done, in this joint venture with Birmingham Repertory Theatre, is bring to life an extraordinary fantasy which sees child heroes Lara and Will drawn into a magical world of icy landscapes patrolled by armoured bears and ever-changing skies populated by armies of witches and angels.
Rachel Kavanaugh and Sarah Esdaile direct this huge production which uses 17 professional actors plus a team of eight young performers from the local community, to recreate a world of adventure and a testing battle between good and evil.
There are spectacular sets from designer Ruari Murchison and intricate puppetry from specialist company, Blind Summit Theatre. Look out for giant polar bears to tiny flying spies.
The show is in the Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre until June 20. Box office is on 0113 213 77000.
