Reviewed by Matt Broadley-Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s been 17 years since Nick Stafford’s adaptation of writer Michael Morpurgo’s novel, War
Horse first hit the stage. When the book was originally published in 1982, it’s impact was moderate, however, with time and a little attention from The National Theatre, this
heartbreaking, beautiful story was brought to brilliant life, and still today both the book and play manage to wow and amaze audiences of all ages.

Telling the story of Devon farm hand, Albert Narracott (Tom Sturgess) and his relationship
with a foal, Joey. A family feud between Albert’s father Ted (Karl Hynes) and his brother,
Arthur (Gareth Radcliffe), sees the pair try and outbid each other for a young horse, at
market. Ted wins the battle for the horse, but at a hefty financial price.

With Ted not really interested in the care of the horse it falls on Albert, who with time,
patience and a unique understanding strikes up a special friendship with Joey. As Joey
becomes a fully-grown colt the pair can be seen coursing through the fields of the village,
and eventually he becomes a great asset to the family in the upkeep of the farm.

However, with the outbreak of World War One, Joey is sold to the war effort by Ted,
seemingly ending the friendship between Albert and his beloved horse. With Joey out on
the frontline somewhere in mainland Europe, Albert refuses to give up hope of being
reunited with his horse and a year later enlists in the army, much to the anguish of his
mum, Rose (Jo Castleton). So begins a journey that will see them both face great peril and adversity which will change the pair forever.

War Horse is live theatre at its finest: high production values from start to finish,
captivating storytelling and an ensemble cast at the top of their game.
Visually it’s as close to perfection as you’re likely to see. The mesmerising puppet control
of the Handspring Puppet Company who bring not only Joey to life, but other animals
including the great stallion, Topthorn and the Norrcott family’s sassy goose. This
exceptionally talented group of puppeteers/actors pack these creatures full of character
and personality: this married with the superb attention to detail on each puppet makes for
a visual treat.

The set is minimal, with the idyllic Devonshire countryside and later the barbaric
battlefields of the Western front made real using a mixture of drawings and animation,
screened across white fabric at the top of the stage. The visuals lurch from the tranquil to
the brutal and work in a unison with some spectacular lighting and thunderous sound
design.

War Horse doesn’t pull its punches on the brutal nature of war. Characters come and go,
with very little pomp and ceremony, all the death and destruction seen through the eyes of
either Albert or Joey. We are fully exposed to the horrors of the frontline from both sides of
the conflict, as well as the dangers for all the serving horses too. As you would expect, at
times it’s bleak, even shocking but there is also plenty of warmth, humour and kindness,
from Nick Stafford’s classy script, which shows the best and worst of humanity.

Tom Sturgess gives a fine central performance as Albert, a turn filled with warmth, and
determination. In addition there is a solid outing from Alexander Ballinger as the German
Captain Freidrich Müller. It’s a performance filled with anguish and compassion. With the
subject matter it would be easy for the production to drift into melodrama but under Katie
Henry’s direction the whole ensemble cast give measured and at times understated
performances, which is one of the show’s key strengths.

The production showcases the extraordinary vocal talents of Sally Swanson who brings to
life the compositions of Adrian Sutton and the lyrics of folk music legend Jonathan Tams.
Swanson has a tremendous voice, as she glides from scene to scene, soundtracking
moments of beauty between Albert and Joey, and the anguish and fallout from the war.

This is a sublime production that can be enjoyed by audiences young and old alike with
some startling imagery that will live long in the memory coupled with a powerful message
of hope. With a tour going to the end of 2024 and well into 2025 this magnificent beast of a
show shows no signs of being put out to pasture, and on today’s performance it’s easy to
see why.

War Horse is at the Lowry until Saturday 28th September. Tickets are available
here.