War Horse
Morpurgo’s War Horse was once a lost gem, forgotten for 25 years. One phone call from The National Theatre, some crazy idea about puppets and now the slim children’s novel has taken on a huge following. War Horse enjoyed eight years on the West End followed by a transfer to Broadway, where the production picked up a Tony for Best Play; over seven million people have seen it around the world and it’s now undertaking its second UK tour. As a result, the book has become a staple in secondary schools and helped to cement Morpurgo’s reputation as a moving writer who creates literature for young people that does not hold back or dumb down. Instead, he makes matters relevant and engaging.
In this, the centenary year of the end of World War I, War Horse could not be more relevant. The story tells of Joey, the horse of a boy called Albert, who is sold to the Cavalry. Joey travels to France where he soon finds himself in mortal danger; Albert, at home in Devon, vows to find his friend and sets off to bring the horse home. Morpurgo sought to write a story that did not damn one side but rather to tell an empathetic tale through which he could highlight the awfulness of war.
It’s a truly moving story on the page, inspired by Morpurgo’s conversations with WWI veteran Wilf Ellis. Fine for a book. But how could it ever work on the stage? The vision of playwright Nick Stafford, alongside Handspring Puppet Company’s design and fabrication, creates a production that is exactly what a theatre adaptation should be. It relies entirely on a suspension of disbelief – seeing beyond the puppeteers and their puppets to see the character and the story it is telling.
Alongside the brilliant script, acting and puppet work there is award-winning stage design and a score of beautiful music and song. If you haven’t managed to find the opportunity to immerse yourself in a wonderful story and a production that more than does it justice, this year is certainly the time. JOHN-PAUL DAVIES
War Horse, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Wed 4-Sat 28 July
Tickets: £18-£55. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk