The Book of Dust

Either you like Philip Pullman’s Books or you do not. Certainly, in the ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy the imagination behind his plural worlds and the thought behind his explanation of the origins of consciousness is fascinating, as well as being a rattling good tale. The implied criticism of organised religion raises all sorts of questions, which by some sectors is seen as promoting atheism. However, I think it is the exploration of the duality of the human spirit that holds the books together with each person having a human shaped body and a visible daemon animal-conscience making up their complete being.

The prequel, ‘The Book of Dust’ has been running at the Bridge Theatre performed by the National Theatre Company and when there was a live filming of it showing at our local Kirkgate Arts centre my sister and I went along wondering how it would be transposed from book to stage. We were also slightly concerned as to how we might feel in view of the widespread flooding in our town (including our house) and the parallels with the threat of Russia’s dictatorial forces moving into Europe.

The result was awe-inspiring, charming, frightening and funny and the story beautifully adapted. The monumental deluge and flood was created by ground-breaking digital lighting that comprised the scenery and took on liquid form in its raging billows and driven rain, the beleaguered canoe tossed from saturated land to deep water and back. Glowing internally against the dark and turbulent background the delicate paper and wire puppet daemons were manipulated so skilfully that they instantly took on their own personas. It was both other worldly and completely believable.
The cast delivered their lines with gusto and a real live baby as the infant heroine Lyra was delight on the top of the creation.
Definitely worth reading or seeing and we're looking forward to the next instalment.