War Horse has long been celebrated as one of the most remarkable productions in modern theatre. Based on Michael Morpurgo’s poignant novel and adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford, it tells the heart-wrenching story of love, loyalty, and the devastating impact of war. Co-produced by the National Theatre and the award-winning Handspring Puppet Company, the production invites audiences to reflect not only on the immense human loss during World War I but also on the tragic fates of the eight million horses sent to the front lines, many never to return. Seventeen years after its original debut, War Horse remains a masterpiece of emotional intensity and inventive brilliance.
At the heart of War Horse lies the extraordinary bond between young Albert Narracott and his beloved horse, Joey. Set against the backdrop of World War I, Albert’s life is upended when his father sells Joey to the cavalry, sending the horse to the front lines of war-torn France. Desperate to be reunited with his trusted companion, Albert, too young to enlist, embarks on a perilous and deeply personal journey through the horrors of battle. The play skillfully weaves together this intimate quest with the larger, devastating realities of war, capturing both the individual and collective suffering. Along the way, Joey becomes a symbol of resilience and hope, inspiring a touching exploration of loyalty, sacrifice, and survival amidst unimaginable adversity.
Rae Smith’s evocative design is a visual triumph, effortlessly transporting the audience from the peaceful fields of Devon to the blood-soaked battlefields of France. The torn-out sketchbook aesthetic, projected overhead, feels like a wartime officer’s personal diary brought to life. These simple yet effective drawings create a vivid sense of place without overwhelming the live action, serving as both scenery and narrative device. The sketches evoke the trench maps and wartime illustrations of the period, grounding the production in historical reality while also leaving much to the audience’s imagination.
The lighting, designed by Paule Constable, plays a crucial role in setting the tone for each scene. From the soft, golden hues of Joey’s early life on the farm to the stark, cold blues and greys of the battlefields, the lighting shifts with the emotional trajectory of the play. During the battle scenes, the lighting becomes almost expressionistic, with flashes of bright light mimicking the explosion of shells and the bursts of machine gun fire. These visual cues, combined with the sound design by Christopher Shutt, create a harrowing sensory experience that plunges the audience into the heart of the conflict. The terrifying soundscape of war—the deafening roars of tanks, the cries of soldiers, and the relentless pounding of artillery—contrasts sharply with the quiet, pastoral sounds of the countryside, reinforcing the destruction of innocence that the play so masterfully portrays.
The music, composed by Adrian Sutton, enhances the emotional resonance of the production, shifting between sweeping orchestral scores and more intimate, folk-inspired tunes. John Tams’ haunting folk songs, performed throughout the play, ground the story in its rural English roots, while Sally Swanson’s amazing vocals bring these poignant melodies to life. Together, Tams' evocative songs and Sutton’s atmospheric score provide a rich, emotional undercurrent that complements the action on stage and deepens the audience’s connection to the narrative.
The costumes, designed to authentically reflect the early 20th-century setting were impressive. The soldiers’ uniforms, from the British cavalry to the German infantry, are meticulously detailed, adding to the immersive quality of the production. The rural costumes worn by Albert and his family in the opening scenes help ground the play in a simpler time, before the outbreak of war changes everything.
And then there’s the puppetry—War Horse’s defining element. The puppets, designed by the Handspring Puppet Company, are nothing short of masterpieces. Joey and the other horses are crafted from skeletal frameworks of bamboo, leather, and mesh, with the three puppeteers for each horse performing in full view of the audience. The transparency of this technique allows the audience to marvel at the sheer skill involved, but within moments, the manipulation is so lifelike that you almost forget the human presence on stage. The puppeteers breathe, snort, and gallop with such precision that Joey’s personality emerges as vividly as any of the human characters. From the subtle twitch of Joey’s ears to the powerful gallop of Topthorn, every movement is imbued with such realism that the audience can’t help but forget they’re watching puppets. It’s a marvel of design and performance that brings the raw power and beauty of these creatures to life in a way that feels magical and deeply emotional.
The ensemble cast of 35 delivers flawless performances, led by the incredibly talented Tom Sturgess as Albert Narracott. His portrayal of a young man driven by love and determination is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Alexander Ballinger as Captain Friedrich Müller delivers a complex and nuanced performance, capturing the inner conflict of a soldier torn between duty and compassion.
The puppeteers – Rianna Ash (Joey's head), Chris Milford (Joey's heart), and Thomas Goodridge (Joey's hind) – deserve special mention for their astonishing work. Together, they breathe life into Joey, creating a character that is as emotionally resonant as any human on stage.
War Horse at The Lowry is an unmissable theatrical experience. It’s a masterclass in storytelling, design, and performance that pulls at the heartstrings while delivering a powerful commentary on the brutality of war. Whether you’ve seen War Horse before or are experiencing it for the first time, this production will leave a lasting impression. Prepare to be moved, astonished, and inspired by this extraordinary piece of theatre.
War Horse is at The Lowry until Saturday 28th September 2024, you can purchase tickets by clicking on the button below.
If you would like more information about the show click the button below for the show's official website.
Photo Credit - Brinkhoff Moegenburg
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.
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