(Lee Armstrong as Albert creates a special call for Joey. Pic by Ellie
Kurttz)
Undoubtedly
the most incredible theatrical experience I have ever had. (Review by Caroline
Smart)
It’s
very seldom that a production matches its publicity hype but War Horse does this and more, thereby surpassing
all expectations.
The
splendid Teatro theatre at Montecasino delivers 100% in terms of the extensive
technical requirements and local audiences should feel extremely grateful to
Pieter Toerien for being so impressed with the production that he became
determined to bring it to South Africa.
Currently
running in Johannesburg before it has a season in Cape Town, War Horse is an unforgettable,
unbelievable and totally un-missable production from every single aspect of its
creation.
The
horses are the creation of the acclaimed Cape Town-based Handspring Puppet
Company which was created by Basil
Jones and Adrian Kohler. They are in charge of puppet design for War Horse.
Based on a novel by
Michael Morpurgo and adapted by Nick Stafford, War Horse is directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris.
The
story deals with a young man
called Albert Narracott who lives on a simple farm in Britain. The setting is just
before the outbreak of World War I. Albert’s drunkard father uses the family’s
valued mortgage money to buy for a horse just to outbid his estranged brother.
The
horse is Joey, a spirited chestnut. Half-thoroughbred, he is totally unsuitable
for farm work but Albert’s parents insist that he can only keep Joey if he
rears him and teaches him to plough. This is against Albert’s instinctive
understanding of the horse’s quality but he bows to his parents’ will and
starts getting to know the animal. The scene where he gets Joey to eat out of a
bucket is sensitively – and humorously – handled. The transformation from the
young colt to the rearing adult stallion is simply breathtaking.
When war breaks out, Joey
gets requisitioned and meets the majestic black stallion,
Topthorn. Together they go through some spectacular battle scenes, disasters
and tragedies before Joey and Albert are reunited.
I spent
most of my early years on the back of a horse so I am familiar with their
movements, moods and responses. It was a total fascination to watch the people -
known as The Head, The Heart and The Hind - operate the horses. They become so
much a part of the structures, you have to keep reminding yourself that the
animals are not real.
There is
a superb use of lighting, sound effects, special effects and music. The set
offers nothing more than a couple of doors when dwellings are involved.
Otherwise a simple image that looks like a cloud dominates the stage, later
morphing into scenic images.
While
the principal characters are all impressive, Lee Armstrong as Albert, Karen Henthorn as his mother, Martin
Wenner as Hauptmann Friedrich Müller and
Simeon Truby as Sergeant Allan will remain in my memory.
Mention
must also be made of the goose which became a firm favourite!
The production has
been seen by over 5 million people worldwide since its opening at the National
Theatre in 2007. During its run on Broadway, it won five Tony Awards, plus a
special Tony Award for Handspring Puppet Company.
War Horse is designed by Rae Smith with lighting by
Paule Constable and movement and horse choreography by Toby Sedgwick. Video
design is by 59 Productions Ltd, song-making by John Tams, music by Adrian
Sutton and sound by Christopher Shutt. It is presented in South Africa by
Pieter Toerien, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) and The National Theatre of Great
Britain, in association with Handspring Puppet Company.
It is undoubtedly the most incredible theatrical
experience I have ever had. Don’t miss it!
War Horse runs at The Teatro at Montecasino in Fourways, Johannesburg until
November 30. The season at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town is from
December 5 until January 4, 2015. Tickets from R100 to R450 via Computicket or
08619158000. For group bookings call Tracy in Cape Town on 021 438 3301 and
Geraldine in Johannesburg on 011 511 1988. – Caroline Smart
War Horse is produced by the National Theatre of Great
Britain - www.warhorseonstage.com
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