Those unfamiliar with the books may be lost at first but, when the story of the imperilled infant Lyra gets going, it is easy to be swept up in her journey.
Among those who must protect her from falling into the clutches of the ecclesiastical despots of the Magisterium are robust tavern potboy Malcolm Polstead (Samuel Creasey in his professional debut) and potty-mouthed Alice (Ella Dacres).
Bob Crowley’s sets are miraculous, conveying us from pub to convent and woods to storm-tossed waters with the aid of screens and Luke Halls’ graphic novel video designs.
Lyra is “played” by a real live baby for the first half which ups the ‘Oooh’ factor before a doll takes over, while the puppet daemons accompanying the characters in Pullman’s alternative universe are delightful if occasionally confusing.
