War Horse
Location: New London Theatre
Date Seen: 3rd March 2016
Seen With: Mum, Dad & Brother
Understudies at This Performance: None noted (no announcements and didn’t see the
daily board)
Summary
War
Horse is the stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel of the same name.
Albert takes responsibility for foal Joey and raises him well, eventually
winning a bet placed against his uncle winning back the 38 guineas paid for
him. However his father sells him for £100 to the war effort and Albert is
distraught. In an attempt to reunite with Joey, the underage Albert enlists in
the war to find him.
Acting
The
acting is at the forefront here from the puppeteers or to the rest of the cast.
The ensemble fill the stage with energy and it feels like each actor is feeding
off the others. I particularly enjoyed James Backway’s interactions between his
family, Joey and to other characters. The changes were subtle but you clearly
understood his relationships with other characters.
Music & Songs
The
sound really enhances the initial Devonshire
setting which is a rural idyllic village. This is juxtaposed against the loud
cannons and gunshots that make up much of the soundscape of the war zone. The
songman that features is fantastic and the live accordion and vocals really
embed this show as feeling real, despite the minimal staging.
Choreography
N/A
Direction
The
direction is fantastic in this piece as everything thing is natural. Nothing is
forced or over done. There is some lovely staging with scenes from Devon and the War Front happening simultaneously and
although this breaks from ideas of reality and that those two scenes would not
happen in the same space, it feels right. It is clear that although the horses
are a big draw, that as much effort has gone into working with the actors to
make the piece come alive. I think it would have been very easy for the puppets
to take all the glory, but I think it has been well balanced.
Set/Lighting
The
set is minimal but I think this is perfect as it doesn’t detract from the
impressiveness of the puppets. The lighting is warm during the scenes in Devon which contrasts against the cold and darker
lighting during the war scenes which reflect the change of life and the dire
times that have hit.
Costumes
The
costumes are fitting to the period and the military uniforms are accurate. Its
nice that the realism has been kept here and compliments the same realism that
comes from the horse puppets.
Stand Out Performances
In
this particular piece I can’t single out actors as the whole show was
breathtaking. I have to applaud the puppeteers as they really steal the show
with making the horses come alive. The way they trot down to the small details
of an ear twitch when they hear something out of the ordinary. It’s the best
example I’ve seen of the puppet and puppeteers becoming one.
Show to Show Comparisons
There
are many shows out there now using puppets but none quite like this. The
difference between War Horse and shows such as Avenue Q and Hand To God is the
realism. War Horse’s puppets are so life like; you do at times forget that they
are puppets being controlled by 3 actors.
Would I Recommend?
Yes
however you may need to catch it on its UK
Overall Verdict (Out of 5 Stars):
5 Stars
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