AN epic production will bring both performance and puppetry to the stage in a college adaptation of an award winning west end hit.
Armoured polar bears, witches and spectres will feature in the dramatised fantasy of ‘His Dark Materials’, which is to be brought to life by drama students at Northallerton College.
The play, adapted by Nicholas Wright from the novels of Philip Pullman, tells the story of a journey through known and unfamiliar worlds by two young people, Will Parry and Lyra Belacqua.
Using puppetry techniques based on the stage plays War Horse and The Lion King, wire and paper mask heads, created by the college’s head of art Jean Lake, will portray mythical demons, the alter-egos of the characters, which will appear throughout the production.
“This will be unlike any other production ever seen before at Northallerton College,” said head of drama Neil Stimson.
“It’s a play that is written in two parts but for our performances we will only be taking on the first part as it is an extremely ambitions production.
“Its absolutely wonderful to be able to take something that has been performed on the stage at The National Theatre and bring it to Northallerton College for people to enjoy, albeit on a much smaller scale.”
A cast of 24 students, from Year 10 to 13, have been rehearsing twice a week for six months. Performances will take place on March 25 and 26 in Northallerton College’s main hall.
Katie Adams, 16, of Northallerton, who will take on the lead role of Lyra Belacqua said: “This is the most challenging role that I’ve been involved in.
“I’m on stage about 95 per cent of the time and have the most lines to learn of any of the cast.
“I’d seen the movie The Golden Compass, on which the play is based, so I was familiar with the story and its great experience for my GCSE exams.”
Emily Hobbs, 16, who is set to play Lyra’s demon Pantalaimon added: “I have three of the hand puppets to perform with throughout the production.
“It did take me a while to grasp the concept of the play but rehearsals have been going really well and I think that people coming to see the play will find it very entertaining and thought provoking.”
Tickets are available from Northallerton College reception; £6, £4 for concessions.
