The scene in Cittàgazze is a turning point in the first His Dark Materials play. Lyra and Will, the two central characters, meet for the first time and start to forge the bond at the heart of the epic. It is the first scene that takes place outside Lyra’s world. She has travelled through the aurora from the arctic of Svalbard to the mediterranean climate of Cittàgazze. Will is identifiably from our world so for the first time Lyra is confronted by someone who doesn’t have a daemon. This scene also represents the transition within the theatre production from the first novel, Northern Lights, to the second, The Subtle Knife.
In terms of the staging this transition between books and between worlds is also the opportunity for the most spectacular stage transformation in Part One. The preceding scene takes place at the Witches council and as the giant ash tree flies out the whole stage is in motion. A giant video projection within the drum revolve represents the sea as Lyra and Pan descend into view. Initially relieved at their escape from Lyra’s parents they soon realise they are not alone.
In
Cittagazze on Stage you can see the scene in performance from the opening transition to the point where Lyra and Will begin to understand each other.