The National Theatre’s legendary stage production of War Horse plays this week at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. The story follows a horse, Joey and boy, Albert (Tom Sturgess) who spend their formative years together, before they are separated, both going into service in the nightmarish trenches of WWI.

The play, based on Michael Morpurgo's children's book of the same name, is directed by Tom Morris with revival director Katie Henry. On a spartan set, the production makes clever use of staging, lighting and impactful sound to evoke the transition from the idyllic countryside of Albert and Joey's childhood, to the artillery fire of the Somme. Above the stage hangs a huge screen, shaped and colored like a strip of paper torn from a sketchbook, and onto it are projected sketch-like animations, designed by Nicol Scott and Ben Pearcy, which augment the story and establish the location. 

War Horse gained its stellar reputation in part thanks to the play’s groundbreaking puppetry. The puppets’ design (by Adrian Kohler) gives hints of the puppeteers behind the framework, while being utterly captivating and believable. In one way, the horses’ bodies look so light and delicate that it seems impossible that Joey can bear the weight of his riders. Last night it was Lewis McBean and Michael Larcombe carrying the weight of their fellow cast members, playing the ‘Heart’ and ‘Hind’ of Joey, while Tom Quinn puppeted the Head. Something quite magical happens to the puppeteers in charge of the horses' heads - dressed like stable workers, they somehow melt into the background while remaining in full view. 

Tom Sturgess as Albert gives a heart wrenching performance, growing up before the audience's eyes alongside his beloved horse Joey. All the characters are complex and performed with skill and gravitas. The play has a gentle pace, and while there are moments of cinematic drama, it's the glimpses of humanity and connection that really bring the story to life. Jo Castleton as Albert's weary mother and Alexander Ballinger as the desperate and disillusioned German Captain Friedrich Müller, give two standout performances in the universally excellent cast. 

War Horse is all about the puppetry, undoubtedly - but the horses aren't the only animals represented on stage. Swallows circle overhead in the Devon countryside, while ravens pick at corpses in the trenches. And Albert's family goose takes the limelight in the curtain call, as only a goose can. Real care is taken to ensure that every element of the spectacular design tells the story - from the horses’ ear movements to the ethereal folk music of the score, primarily performed by Sally Swanson. Perhaps this is the secret behind the show's longevity. It’s filled theatres for the past two decades, and this won't change for the forseeable future - if last night's standing ovation is any indication.

Five Stars

War Horse was reviewed on Tuesday 11 March by Jessica Clixby at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, where it shows until Saturday 22 March.