REVIEW: War Horse at Mayflower Theatre

This may be the easiest review I think I’ve written yet.

Michael Morpurgo’s ‘War Horse’ is the latest play to take to Mayflower Theatre’s stage and all I can say is WOW. From award winning book, to Hollywood blockbuster, to an acclaimed National Theatre production - this show is the ultimate way that this story should be told. Nick Stafford has done an incredible job at adapting such a heartwarming story from the page to the stage. With the award-winning Handspring Puppet Company helping to bring these characters and animals to life, I honestly think this is one of the most impressive productions out there. This is actually the second time I’ve seen this show with the first being back in 2018, and I remember loving it back then - but this time I was just blown away. I always say that I’m apprehensive of stage adaptations of books/movies, but this feels like it was always meant to be seen live on stage. You become fully immersed in the story and movement to the point that it feels like you’re watching a movie, or that you’re actually a part of the story.

For those of you unaware with what ‘War Horse’ is all about, it follows the story of ‘Joey’ a young horse who has an extraordinary journey from Devon to the trenches of France during the First World War. Not only does he end up on this journey, but he also gets taken away from his best friend and owner ‘Alfred’ - who is just desperate to find his horse once again. This is a story that is funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking and everything in-between. It’s a piece of British masterpiece storytelling. On stage it all just fits together perfectly. The music, the singing, the set and design, the puppetry, the acting - it was all faultless.

The cast for this show is incredible. It’s vast and the energy and emotion that they bring is once again incredible. On top of the physical acting, the movement and interaction between props, set, puppets and cast is seriously impressive. Tom Sturgess who plays the role of ‘Albert Narracott’ was brilliant. The relationship that he shared with ‘Joey’ was beautiful. Jo Castelton as ‘Rose Narracott’ put on the most captivating and powerful performance. Throughout the show there is also a role of ‘The Singer’, who is almost an indirect narrator for the story. Singing these period accurate songs was Sally Swanson, and the only way to describe her performance is eerily beautiful. Each song added so much emotion to a scene and really helped pull the show together. For the horses, ‘Joey’ was puppeteered by Rhianna Ash, Chris Milford, and Tommy Goodridge. These three did possibly the hardest job, but also most impressive job of the night. They made a puppet exude emotion and connections with these characters and other puppets on stage. Again, I’m just almost speechless from the whole thing and stunned by every single performance - and that’s very rare! Bravo!

The overall set and design of the play was also immaculate. Not only was it incredibly impressive to see, but the transitioning between scenes and settings was also meticulously thought out. Obviously the puppets were brilliant, but the set featured what seems to be a ripped book page looming over the whole time (which at the end you realise is a fantastic piece of foreshadowing - no spoilers!). This ripped page also acts as the area where drawn projections giving the story some extra movement are shown. Personally I thought this was a brilliant addition that ended up being incredibly powerful. Projections are usually very hit and miss but these guys nailed it. The scene setting of different houses/places was literally just a door or maybe some cast members holding poles acting as a fence. This mixed with some clever lighting design was also beautifully creative, and the minimalist aesthetic just worked wonderfully. I feel like the more I’m writing, the more I feel like I could keep writing about this forever. The strobing with the slo-mo movement of the puppets/actors going to war was incredibly powerful and actually quite moving. The whole thing was just amazing and I can’t praise it enough.

I’ve already mentioned Sally Swanson’s performance in relation to the music, but when that was placed with everything else it just topped off this beautiful piece of art. That’s the only way I can think of describing it. It helped build the emotion and tension but also added the shock factor in those war scenes. When the whole cast was singing in unison or harmony it was just gorgeous. I haven’t even mentioned the comedy factor of the show yet. Because the show is about war and has some hard hitting scenes, the tone of the play is constantly shifting - but it was also very, very funny. This was done in a classy and unforced way and it just flowed. The whole auditorium could be on the verge of tears in one moment, in total shock and silence the next, before then finding themselves audibly laughing to gasping. Without spoiling anything I’ll just say keep an eye out for the goose. Definitely a fan favourite there.

Overall, this may now be my favourite play of all time. The story is perfect. Seeing it in this way is an absolute must. This is a book brought to life right in front of your eyes. I still remember the first time I read the book, and it sounds odd but the show looks exactly how you see it in your head when you’re reading it. It’s easy to see how ‘War Horse’ is an acclaimed production and how it keeps selling theatres out up and down the country. Like I said, this is probably the easiest review I have ever written. I genuinely think I could write/talk about this show forever. ‘War Horse’ is in Southampton until the 19th October and this is a show that everybody needs to see. Even if you’re not a fan of theatre, this is the show that might just change your mind. At the end of the show, the whole auditorium was up on its feet, and at least 60% of the audience had tears in their eyes. Even I was tearing up. GO AND SEE THIS SHOW! You won’t regret it! I wish the whole cast, crew, and company of ‘War Horse’ the best of luck and greatest of success with the rest of their tour.