‘War Horse’ is a gripping, thrilling, yet solemn piece of literature, beautifully transferred to the stage. Some scenes were incredibly moving, especially at the beginning when Alfred’s horse is the center of his innocent world in a small village.
As the plot unfolded, a scene that really struck me was the first battle, where the men show great bravery. They charge into battle on their horses, innocently believing they’ll be home by Christmas, only to be cruelly betrayed by fate as the gatling guns unleash hell upon them.
The acting in this scene was particularly spectacular. I loved how it was portrayed with the men flying off their horses in slow motion, combined with strobe lighting. It really made me think about the bravery of these men, just from how well the scene was acted.
The acting throughout was superb and was enhanced by the background visuals that set the tone perfectly, immersing you in the experience. The use of bright lights at key moments added to the intensity, instilling fear in the audience, with powerful sounds accompanying them. These elements made me feel completely immersed in the play, as if I were really there in that era. By the interval, I was left wanting more, desperate to know what would happen next.
The horses and other animals were outstanding, and the actors behind them were incredible, bringing these beautiful creations to life with majestic and graceful movements. Attention to detail, like the way the horses’ ears moved, allowed you to understand their emotions without them saying a word. Their body language spoke volumes, always reflecting what was happening around them. The horses even developed as characters throughout the play, forming emotional connections with the people. By the end, I’d completely forgotten that they weren’t real—so invested was I in their personalities, and the actors controlling them disappeared into the background.
The comic relief scenes lifted the mood, bringing laughter to the audience. One actor who stood out in this regard was Ike Bennet, who acted brilliantly and managed to get lots of laughs. The live music enhanced the performance as well, along with the props and animals like birds, which really set the scene.
I found the play amazing, experiencing an emotional rollercoaster as the actors guided me through the narrative. It was a very thought-provoking experience, especially with reflections on human nature during the hellish, post-apocalyptic landscape of the First World War, like the Somme valley with its thousands of dead. There was also a hint of machines versus animals—when the German soldiers died, nature continued, and crows came to feast. Humans, alongside their animal companions, eventually triumphed in a moving and funny scene where they compete over who should save the horse.
Overall, ‘War Horse’ was an incredible production, gripping the audience and reminding us of the atrocities of the First World War. I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and I still can’t stop thinking about it.
By Michael Morpurgo
Music by Adrian Sutton
Director Tom Morris
Phot Credit Brinkhoff-Moegenburg
Cast includes Tom Sturgess, Jo Castleton, Chris Williams, Alexander Bollinger
Until Saturday 28th September and then on tour.
Running time:2 hours 35 minutes