War Horse

The New London Theater

Wednesday, 16 Nov 2011

War horse, adapted by Nick Stafford from the novel by the former children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo and directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris.

With the south african puppet company Handspring, and the brilliant directors sweep the play that was emotionally dense prose into a drama of extraordinary power. This is a tale of love, loss and the horrors of conflict is harrowing, joyous and thrilling. And its sheer skill and invention are simply awe-inspiring. 

The story is a young lad Albert raising a horse Joey. His always drunk father sold Joey to the Army at the outbreak of the first world war and shipped to france with the cavalry. Alberts' love towards Joey encourages him to join the war with hope to meet joey again. 

Our first glimpse of Joey is a stiff legged skittish foal and become a fully grown horse gallops into view. A stunning sight. The puppets are remarkable. A skeleton of steel, wicker and leather, with three puppeteers visible within. The creature is manipulated with wondrous precision and delicacy. 

The first and last photos are taken by me and the rest are from google image. 

If you are in London go and watch this play :D