Review | War Horse review: equine puppets the stars of show about the bond between man and horse
- Life-size animals made from cane and metal look amazing, and the cast, led by Scott Miller, acquit themselves well
- A stage spectacle and a technical feat, this production reminds Hong Kong theatregoers of the magic of live drama
An English play about the deep bond between a teenage boy and his horse during the first world war may sound like a tough sell for Hong Kong audiences, but War Horse is more than a period melodrama. This National Theatre of Great Britain production, premiered in 2007, is a technical feat and a stage spectacle that reminds us of the magic of live theatre.
Based on Michael Morpurgo’s book of the same title, the show opens with a foal roaming and galloping freely in a field. The animal is not real, but a life-size puppet manipulated by three puppeteers. Yet it looks amazing and acts like the real thing – from the way it snorts and neighs to how it sways its head and swishes its tail.
Made of cane and metal by the Cape Town-based Handspring Puppet Company, horses Joey and Topthorn – and the 18 puppeteers who take turns controlling them – are the stars of this performance. Another animal puppet, The Goose (on a wheel controlled by Jonathan Cobb), is a scene stealer.
The cast comprises actors and singers. Scott Miller, in the lead role as young Albert, who has an emotional friendship with his equestrian friend, is both believable and moving. “Songperson” Ben sets a poignant tone for the war drama by singing folk songs in the English tradition.
Set designer Rae Smith and lighting designer Paule Constable make effective use of video, stylised props and powerful visual effects to show the horror and hollowness of fighting on the front line and in the trenches of the first world war.
