Reviewed by Katy Hart
The most incredibly beautiful and moving theatre production I have ever seen. I don’t feel I can ever do justice to something that was so deeply touching and is such a powerful story of the truest of friendships surviving in what were the most terrible of times.
Last evening (18 October 2017), I had the absolute pleasure of being at the opening night of War Horse at the Bristol Hippodrome. The theatre was a full house and yet the moment the lights came up, there was a silence that was befitting of the evening.
The production is based on the 1982 novel by Michael Morpurgo, who in the programme tells the story of how writing the novel came about. He grew up with the damage of war all around him and so is incredibly empathetic towards the subject of war. He came across a painting of a cavalry charge in the First World War and this was the inspiration behind his writing.
The play is seen through the eyes and words of ‘Joey’ a horse reared on a Devon Farm. It exquisitely expresses the beautiful connection that a young boy ‘Albert’ has with Joey. As World War One breaks out not only are young men being enlisted, but the cavalry is purchasing horses to take out to the front line to assist. Albert’s beloved Joey is sold and shipped to France where he very soon becomes caught up in enemy fire and the officer who had purchased him and promised to look after him is killed. Joey through a remarkable journey ends up being captured by German troops and is used as a workhorse to transport the injured on a makeshift ambulance. In the meantime, Albert discovers that the British officer has been killed and although he is still not old enough to enlist, he signs up and we follow the treacherous mission he makes as he makes his way across the Somme in France to go and rescue his beloved horse.
I had heard that the puppetry in the play was remarkable, however I wasn’t prepared for quite how magnificent the puppets really are. They may just be wooden sticks with fabric draped over them, however they are so much more than this and they capture perfectly the essence of these beautiful animals. One can completely believe they are real horses on the stage, as the puppeteers move them so sympathetically and realistically.
The Songmaker, Bob Fox brings something so moving to what is already an incredibly evocative and stirring musical score.
There were also especially moving performances last evening from Thomas Dennis as the young Albert, and Ben Ingles and Peter Becker as the British and German officers who both took care of Joey.
This is so much more than a puppet show, based on a children’s novel. It will totally capture you and move you to your very core, whatever age you are. As I wrote above, I don’t feel I can do justice to such a deeply touching and powerful production.
Last evenings show was the 10th anniversary of the very first production, and the producer came on stage at the end to give a short speech. It was incredible to hear how the production has come about from an almost laughable idea, in a small room at the National Theatre, to something that has proved itself to be totally worthy of the standing ovation it received last evening. I cannot recommend this highly enough.
War Horse will be in Bristol on its 10th Anniversary tour until Saturday 11 November and as we are reflecting so much on the 100th anniversaries of the First World War, this is a wonderful opportunity to remember those Forgotten Heroes. The programme quotes “Of the million hapless horses that were sent to France between 1914 and 1918 only 62,000 returned. War Horse offers a glimpse of the experiences that befell them”.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £22.40 to £68.90 (plus £4 transaction fee).
War Horse is at the Bristol Hippodrome from 18 October to 11 November 2017,for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/bristol or call the box office on 0844 871 3012.
Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ | 0844 871 3012
