Following 8 record breaking years in London’s West End the National Theatre acclaimed play War Horse came on tour to the New Theatre Oxford and on the 13th December, ten members of the Upton Theatre Group had the opportunity to enjoy this fabulous production.
The Theatre production is based on Michael Morpurgo’s Novel about the friendship between a Devon Farm Boy Albert and a young horse called Joey. At the outbreak of WW1 Albert’s father sells Joey to the Cavalry and the horse is shipped to France. Joey is caught up in all the horrors of the War, eventually serving on both sides of enemy lines. Albert cannot forget Joey and although underage enlists in the British Army in an effort to find his beloved horse and bring him home.
At the heart of this production are astonishing life-sized horses by South Africa’s remarkable Handspring Puppet Company. The puppetry is so mesmerising that you forget while watching that you are not looking at real horses.
War Horse was an unforgettable theatrical event and for me ranks as probably the very best theatre production I have seen for the extraordinary production, special effects, casting and ingenuity in bringing the story to the stage.
Feedback from other members of the Upton Theatre Group suggests I was not alone in feeling enraptured by the whole experience that tugged at heartstrings and laid bare the best and worst of humanity. If you haven’t seen it and can get tickets do go ………you really will not be disappointed!
Lesley Shaw