The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage
PUPPET MAKER & PUPPET WRANGLER
Book by Philip Pullman and adapted for the stage by Bryony Lavery
Directed by Zoë Templeman Young
Set and Costume Design by Amy Maguire Lewis
Puppetry Design by Alexandra Kay and Jodie Yates
Lighting Design by Ren Liberta
Production Photography by Kirsten McTernan
After the successful run at the Bridge Theatre in London, The Richard Burton Theatre Company at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama presented The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage in the winter of 2022 season.
A prequel to Philip Pullman’s visionary His Dark Materials trilogy, La Belle Sauvage follows the delightful young characters and their dæmons as they desperately try to keep the baby Lyra Belacqua safe during a biblical flood.
This production included over 36 puppets built by students at the college.
MAKING PROCESS
I made the marmoset monkey by sculpting foam for the body, plywood with joints for the legs, and sculpting the head from clay and casting it with Worbla. It was rendered with dyed textiles and paint.
I also made the mouth mechanism for a dog, sculpted smaller puppets, and rendered other puppets including “Ben” the dog and the lizard.
