By Graham Hiley.
I had always resisted every entreaty to go and see War Horse. I didn’t think it was my sort of thing.
After being persuaded to see it at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre, I can honestly say it is everybody’s sort of thing – or at least it should be.
Not only is it an absolutely incredible piece of theatre but it carries a message for the world which, sadly, is as relevant now as for its First World War setting.
Based on the iconic novel by Michael Morpurgo, it tells the story of country boy Albert Narracott who builds a bond with his beloved horse Joey. They are parted only when they are (separately) called to serve in the Great War. Not my kind of thing at all – and yet…
It is a heartbreaking but uplifting and deeply emotional tale about love, hope, fear and the futility of war. Joey ends up enlisted by both the British and the Germans emphasising the point that horses don’t care which side they are on!
A million of them were sent from Britain to France – only 62,000 returned. Have the tissues at the ready as you ache to see if Joey is one of them.
Although beautifully acted – Tom Sturgess is completely compelling as Albert – the entire cast is overshadowed by the puppetry and the production both of which are astonishing.
The thought of watching a life-size replica of a horse did nothing for me. How can you care about a puppet?
The answer lies in the incredible skill of the rotating crew of 12 puppeteers from South African company Handspring who bring to life Joey and his comrade Topthorn with unerring artistry.
Just minutes into the show and the audience already care deeply about the horses and have forgotten they are not real. Somehow they spark every possible emotion from love to laughter, empathy to anxiety.
They are utterly believable as they gallop joyfully across fields or strain in pain to pull a plough or a gun. The attention to detail is astonishing – these beasts are living, breathing beauties and you ache for them in a way that never seemed possible. The look of love in the face of a puppet is something special to behold.
It is truly an emotional rollercoaster with the scenes set against the haunting voice of Sally Swanson who wrings every ounce of feeling from the folk songs.
And if that is not enough to have you reaching for the tissues, the superb staging will set you off. The backdrop is a series of amazing animated drawings by Rae Smith which completely capture the horror and heartbreak of war.
These bleak and white images burst into colour just once, a spine-tingling moment as the screen is filled with red. Meanwhile Rob Casey’s skilful lighting makes the battle scenes horrifyingly real in a way which leaves nobody unmoved.
Brilliantly directed by Tom Morris, the production is totally immersive.
At the end, the standing ovation is both instant and heartfelt, a tribute to an extraordinary and genuinely moving piece of art. I must have had a speck in my eye because this wasn’t my sort of thing at all!
Tickets for War Horse (Tuesday 8 – Saturday 19 October2024) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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