His Dark Materials

performed by

Riverside Youth Group

Eynsford Village Hall

Wednesday October 4th 2006

REVIEW

It was an ambitious risk taken by the Riverside Youth Group coordinators in deciding to produce a 'one off' abridged version of Philip Pullman's "Northern Lights", condensed into a captivating 35 minutes on Eynsford Village Hall's stage. After all, the trilogy produced at the National Theatre a few years ago lasted six and a half hours!  Nevertheless, I knew nothing of the plot, its intention or possible interpretations, and was grateful to Scott Le Crass (director) for his quick synopsis and audience scene-setter, without which I might have been particularly confused.

However, I was quickly enthralled.  Each of the older beings was silently shadowed by a smaller "soul/daemon", usually crawling, while they negotiated their path together from fantasy to uncertain earthly mortality suggesting the use of the aurora borealis as portals, and a alethiometer as the visionary conductor.  This combination of roles and attitudes offered a wide range of opportunity to the age mix, probably under 8 to 16, each using a subtle piece of dress, costume, skin, or mask to denote their character, human or animal.  The kids, some more certain than others, but all clearly enjoying themselves, rose to the challenge.  Worthy of particular mention, Sarah Nicholson delivered the master with striking, subtle confidence, while Nina Rickards took command of Mrs Coulter with creditable authority. Josie Moore as Lyra had memorised a daunting script with alacrity, and reproduced the accepting adventurer in search of her destiny with mystical simplicity.  Veteran junior "luvvies" Larry Watling as Iorek Byrnison  the bear, and Howard Frankson as Lord Asriel made strong use of space and voice.  The little ones, hopping, jumping, keeping time within the aura of their unseeing "daemons" acted their magical socks off with appropriate pace, awareness and discipline.

The stage was particularly assisted by Sophie Naisbitt's simple and effective backdrop depicting the aurora borealis on which Grace Reddy projected a selection of curiously interesting slides which fleshed out the story line usefully.  This added extra dimension to the visual intrigue and developed as the tale unravelled.  It was good to see Riverside Youth continuing to encourage and support progress within the production and design teams as well as "on the boards".

I left the hall amazed, yet again, at what Riverside teamwork can always manage to pull off, and felt particularly happy at how its future will doubtless shape up.  These kids were a credit to the time and energy, tears and possibly alcohol, dedicated by the coordinators.  They should all be "well proud" of themselves.   I find myself now thinking of reading the book; a real tribute...the engagement of one member of the audience with no real vested interest.

 Sally (Rotweiller) Coston
(Posted 5/10/06)