Anna Maxwell Martin - Actor

Anna Maxwell Martin was already working at the National Theatre and a big fan of the Philip Pullman books, and so was a natural to participate in the workshops for the production, which began more than a year before the plays hit the stage. But she was thrilled to be invited to play Lyra Belacqua. She is acutely aware of the huge following for Philip Pullman’s books, and felt quite daunted when she began because the audience might feel she does not match up to their conception of Lyra. But Nicholas Hytner knew her well, and although Anna says Lyra is different from her, she admits she is not that different. It is a demanding role: as Lyra she is onstage throughout most of the two three-hour productions. She believes Philip Pullman has created an unforgettable character in Lyra. She likes everything about Lyra and describes it as a privilege to play her.

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