By: Suzanne Cleave
Seventeen years after its London premiere, the National Theatre’s production of War Horse has returned for a new UK and Ireland tour – leaving audiences in awe at every venue.
Based on the much-loved novel by Michael Morpurgo, and adapted by Nick Stafford, War Horse tells the moving story of young Albert Narracott and the connection he forms with his beloved horse Joey.
Joey was bought at market by Albert’s dad, Ted Narracott, who was determined to outbid his brother, even if it meant spending the mortgage money on the sale. Albert is given the job of training Joey, who the family pray will grow into a profitable working horse.
The bond that is formed between boy and horse is truly heartwarming. So when Ted sells Joey to the British Army, Albert is devastated. Before he is shipped to France, Albert promises Joey that they will be reunited one day.
War Horse portrays the emotional toil of war – for humans and for animals. One million horses were taken to France from Britain. Only 62,000 were brought back.
In France, things could not be more different than in sleepy Devon. The British soldiers are met with gun fire, darkness and death, and right in the midst of it are the horses. The battle scenes are bloody and realistic.
Tom Sturgess is outstanding as Albert, who never gives up hope or his promise to Joey. He bides his time and lies about his age to enlist in the army, setting off on a perilous journey into war in a desperate attempt to find his horse and bring him back home.
The production is a tremendously powerful theatrical experience that leaves you gripped from start to finish.
The set is simple, but effective, and the backdrop so cleverly thought out. What initially looks like a cloud, turns out to be piece of paper torn from a book, which displays the changing locations. The lighting and sound work in harmony to create an atmosphere that shifts from tranquil Devon to the trenches of France. The regular presence of the singer, Sally Swanson, with her haunting voice and folk like songs adds to the mood.
It is not hard to see why War Horse is lauded for its amazing puppetry. The Handspring Puppetry Company bring the horses – and other puppets – to life. With three puppeteers operating Joel as a foal (Eloise Beaumont-Wood, Jordan Paris and Diany Samba-Bandza), there are audible gasps from the audience as he runs and jumps onto the stage. The detail in the puppets is amazing and the puppeteers blend in in a way that you can see them, but you don’t ‘see’ them – they almost become part of the animal. It really is magical and shows how life-like the puppets are and how impeccable the puppeteers’ execution is.
When older Joey bursts onto the stage, the detail in the adult horse is extraordinary, along with Topthorn, the beautiful black horse who rides alongside Joey at the front of the calvary.
The entire cast were amazing. Other performances that stood out for me were Jo Castleton who played Rose Narracott, a lady torn between being a wife to Ted and a mother to Albert; Alexander Ballinger as Captain Friedrich Muller and Ike Bennett who played David Taylor, a steadfast friend to Albert on the front lines.
Some of the battle scenes are hard to watch, but throughout, there are moments of hope. With not a dry eye in the house, and a rousing standing ovation, it was one of the best productions I have ever seen. War Horse really is an unmissable experience.