Using puppetry and grand sets, Birmingham Repetory Theatre Company is to bring Philip Pullman’s epic fantasy His Dark Materials alive on the Bromley stage. Puppet handler and actor Ben Thompson explains why it’s a show not to be missed.

His Dark Materials revolves around a girl called Lyra and her pal Will as they embark on an adventure through parallel worlds encountering fantastical creatures such as armoured bears, flying witches, gyptians and cliff-ghasts.

But as actor and puppet handler Ben Thompson explains, you don’t need to have read the books to enjoy the play.

“It’s been quite a clear focus from the beginning that we are performing to two quite distinct audiences; people who’ve read them and people who haven’t,” he said.

“I believe we cater and make it fun for both - all the characters are introduced and there are no in-jokes or anything like that.”

Amy McAllister and Nick Barber rise remarkably to the challenge of the youngsters of the central roles, ably supported by Christopher Ettridge as the reptilian Lord Boreal, Timothy Knightley a bumbling authority and Charlotte Asprey playing the beguiling Mrs Coulter.

The characters’ souls take shape outside their bodies in the form of daemons and are vividly created as puppets by Blind Summit Theatre. Ben brings to life Mrs Coulter’s daemon, the Golden Monkey, and says it’s always fun to play the bad guy.

“He’s a little ball of evil fluff,” said Ben. “All the daemons have names and they speak and relate to people but he doesn’t have a name he doesn’t talk to anyone. He’s just there, watching.”

The daemon puppets roam the stage with such realism that it is easy to forget the puppeteer operating them from behind.

“By using a minimal set we’re asking the audience to engage that little bit more and use their imaginations,” he said.

“Using puppets that have visible puppeteers we’re not saying this is a real animal - we’re being very theatrical about it.”

The books have been adapted for the stage by Nicholas Wright and he has managed to keep the structure simple to ensure the right questions are asked. The inventive puppetry and classic storytelling take us on a magical journey and make for an evening of perfect fantasy escapism for adults and teenagers.

His Dark Materials, will run between May 6 and May 10 at The Churchill, High Street, Bromley. This story is presented in two parts. Various times. Call 0870 0606620 for further details.