Last night saw the phenomenal National Theatre production of War Horse arrive at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, and to say it was a memorable evening is simply not enough - it was more of a visceral, emotional experience of theatrical excellence. Absolutely stunning in every aspect of narrative and imagery, it is no wonder that the late Queen Elizabeth II cited the play as one of her favourite stage productions.

Based on the much-loved novel by Michael Morpurgo, War Horse tells the story of a boy, and his horse caught up in the real-life horrors of World War One. The story of how the original book came into being is also a tale worth telling. Morpurgo encountered a local villager where he lived in rural Devon and that man, called Wilf Ellis, recited his personal experiences of being a young soldier in the Yeomanry during World War One. It was from that living testimony that War Horse evolved.

1914 is the year when the peaceful Devon lives of both Albert, played by Tom Sturgess, and his horse Joey (puppetted last night by Jordan Paris, Diany Samba-Bandza and Alistair So), are changed forever in the dark foreboding era which will give rise to the carnage and barbarism inflicted on so many young men and horses at that time. The play develops from the beautiful bucolic relationship between a boy and his equine friend to a story of intense challenge and courage, set against the background of fear and death in the theatre of war. 

This National Theatre production is so powerfully staged in every aspect, that it inevitably impacts the audience in an experientially dramatic way - it is both incredibly emotional and captivating to watch. The visuals, the puppetry and the narrative all combine to engage the audience from the start. The show is directed by Tom Morris, with revival director Kate Henry, and the high calibre of the production is clear throughout.

The play begins with young Albert being trusted with raising the young foal Joey, in the quiet countryside of rural England, at a time when life passed more slowly, and where family and community were intertwined in the daily activities of farming and simple living. All goes well until Albert’s father sells Joey to the Cavalry for the war effort and for his own greed, and the poor horse is shipped to France to be immersed in the full horrors of the battlefield. Broken-hearted, Albert enlists in the army (even though he’s underage) in the hope that he may embark on a quest to find Joey and bring him home. 

There is a real pathos to the play - all those young men who enlisted and thought the war would be short-lived could have no conception of what the reality was going to be. The play does portray the true picture of conflict, not only in relation to the devastation of war, but also the human stories of compassion and friendship in the field of battle.  Throughout the play, the audience wonders if Albert will succeed in finding his beloved Joey, against all odds, and it is testament to the power of hope and fate that ultimately delivers destiny.  

The tremendous cast of actors involved in War Horse bring the story to life on stage, but the awe-inspiring element of the production is without doubt the incredible puppetry, created by the National Theatre in association with the award-winning Handspring Puppet Company. Incredibly,  the audience has the capacity to think they are watching real horses. This is down to the mastery of moulding the imagination to believe in the idea, not only through the puppetry, but the narrative, the music, the lighting and the visuals.  As such, War Horse involves puppetry at its very best.

For a truly outstanding theatrical experience to remember, a visit to see War Horse at the Regent Theatre is not to be missed.

Five Stars

War Horse was reviewed by Carol Lovatt at The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, where it runs until Saturday 8 March. It also shows at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tuesday 11 until Saturday 22 March.