Last week my dad took me to see The War Horse. I wanted to see it because he wanted to see it and although I was looking forward to going to the theatre because I always like going, I can’t say I was expecting to be particularly bowled over. The production is about a horse after all. It didn’t sound exactly thrilling. As it happens I was spectacularly wrong!

The War Horse is a strange play because the first time the ‘horse’ comes on you think ‘oh well that’s kind of convincing but it’s still just a puppet operated by three people. ‘Then an hour later you catch yourself wondering who those people are standing next to that horse. I kid you not, it’s VERY convincing. And I am a very, very cynical person who is not normally convinced by this kind of thing. The life sized puppets are provided by the Handspring Puppet company who are clearly very skilled at what they do.

The story starts at the outbreak of World War One when Joey, beloved horse of the main character Albert is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. The play is based on the celebrated novel by the Children’s Laureate (2003-05) Michael Morpurgo and has received a number of awards including Oliviers for best set design and beat theatre choreographer. It’s one of the most interesting productions I have seen in a long time and utterly compelling. Not only that but it’s got a lesson in history and a message all of it’s own – win win.

New London Theatre

Drury Lane

WC2B 5PW

08444124654