Carmel ThomasonIn the programme notes, Michael Morpurgo admits he was sceptical when first approached about staging his 25-year-old book, War Horse using puppets. The National Theatre was keen to find a vehicle to work with South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company and director Tom Morris’ mother had suggested he read Morpurgo’s World War I tale.
Knowing what we know now about the show’s phenomenal global success it is hard to imagine just how experimental placing a puppet centre-stage in a major production was at the time. Morpurgo describes it as ‘making the impossible work’. It is the kind of theatrical magic that is still like gold dust.
What was ground-breaking puppetry in 2007 is no less breathtaking today. Hearts leap when young foal, Joey bounds off stage and back on again, transformed as a fully-grown horse. From the subtle rise and fall of his chest to his athletic leaps and expressive shaking of his ears, Joey is controlled almost imperceptibly by Rianna Ash (head), Chris Milford (heart) and Thomas Goodridge (hind).
It feels fitting that all three of the horse puppets on stage is described as having a heart, because the range of emotions the puppeteers elicit from these life-sized creatures is astonishing. It is a work of imaginative genius that has us rooting for them as if they were truly alive.
But this show is not simply a spectacle. At its centre is Morpurgo’s powerful and moving story of love, loss, friendship, loyalty, family, community and war, which follows the journey of teenager, Albert Narracott (Tom Sturgess) and his horse who are separately enlisted to fight in the French trenches.
The 35-strong cast make for some imposing scenes, heightening the drama through sheer numbers and emotive song, with both chorus and solos by Sally Swanson as The Singer. This new production, directed by Morris with revival director Katie Henry, somehow feels even tighter and more immersive than Marianne Elliott’s original multi-award-winning vision. The action never lets up for a second as the scenes move from a horse-market to a ploughed field; the open sea to the confines of the trenches; an occupied farm to a military hospital.
Rae Smith’s design aids the storytelling through a series of related sketches and animations projected overhead on a screen resembling a torn-out page from the sketch book in which Lieutenant Nicholls (Chris Williams) first captures the galloping freedom of Joey. Further layers are added with effective use of lighting, realistic soundscape and musical soundtrack.
There is no doubt we are at war as the explosion of shells reverberate through the auditorium, coupled with blinding lights, flashes of debris and countless bodies.
The drama hits harder because we know its setting is true. One million horses were taken to France from Britain to support the war effort. Of those only 62,000 were returned – a loss matched by the loss of young men’s lives (and that was just on the British side). The wars still raging today provide further resonance and pause for thought. Is it any wonder there was barely a dry eye in the house?
War Horse is the most popular play in the National Theatre’s history and judging from the emotional response to the opening of this new production it may well be the most powerful play of this century. Don’t miss it.
War Horse is a show for all ages from children aged 10+. If you’re thinking of taking children along, this is what our 12-year-old theatre buddy had to say:
“I liked War Horse because it had so many different views of World War I. I think it is good for someone my age because I can empathise but I also know it is just a show even though it does feel real. Also, because I have done WWI in school – I remembered places and could understand the setting so it resonated with me.
“The action was brilliant, the emotion could be felt, the puppeteers were great, the sound effects made it feel more real, and the graphics brought it all together – everything was just what you want to see.
“I think Michael Morpurgo or someone he knows must have had that kind of relationship with a horse because it was so heartfelt”.
War Horse is at The Lowry, Salford from 18 – 28 September 2024 to before continuing on tour until November 2025. Age recommendation 10+
Dave Porter
Paul Thomason
