War Horse, UK Tour Review (2025)
Photo by Brinkhoff Mögenburg
Written by Hollie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Caution: This production includes smoke and haze as well as the use of pretend firearms. Age guidance: 10+
Director Tom Morris and revival director Katie Henry bring this acclaimed National Theatre Production of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel to life in its first UK tour since 2014. Using puppetry, music and projected sketches and drawings, the duo and the large ensemble of actors bring the show onto the expansive stage. Although the stage and auditorium is large, the cast ensures the production is both immersive and intimate for the audience of families, couples and students.
This story of family and friendship has become one of the most successful National Theatre productions in the last decade, and after its successful and long run at the then New London Theatre, which ended in 2016, audiences have been eager to see this latest adaptation of the children’s classic.
Act One opens on the Taw Valley in Devon in July 1911, where hard-working but exhausted farmer Ted, played by Karl Haynes, wins a horse at auction and takes the horse home to his disgruntled wife Rose, played by Jo Castleton. His son Albert, played by Tom Sturgess, bonds with the horse and names him Joey, and an understanding and loving human and animal relationship grows.
Karl, Jo and Tom as the trio of actors playing the Narracott family, excel in their portrayal of the changes in the family dynamic across the various scenes. At times, during Act Two, I felt that the production was missing the development of the family dynamic from these three actors, as that was a highlight in Act One, as the interactions felt completely natural and authentic.
Designer Rae Smith has intentionally decided on having a stripped-back set with simple props, which allows the audience to use their own imagination to imagine scenes, particularly the village street scenes, as well as the battle scenes further along in the show. The emphasis is then on the actors as well as the magnificent puppetry which is used to bring the horses to life.
Puppet designer Adrian Kohler, as well as Puppetry Director Matthew Forbes, must be applauded for their clever use of materials as well as movement direction when creating the horses Topthorn and Joey. The sheer size and scale of the puppets, as well as the puppeteer’s ability to fool the audience into thinking the horses are real animals that are there in the room with you, brings a surprising element to the production.
Joey, after being cared for by Albert over the following seasons, transforms from being a very thin and scared horse into a majestic and defiant one. And as war breaks in 1914 with the sound of bombs and the introduction of propaganda posters on the streets, Joey and Albert begin to understand and care for each other.
But who is in charge of the household? What will happen to the family as the distant sounds of war beckon?
Albert’s happiness and joy turn into sadness and pain as Joey is sold to the army by his father behind his back. Off to France Joey canter under the watchful eye of the Captain, leaving Albert at home in Devon, upset and angry. As he is too young for the army at sixteen years of age, Albert finds it difficult to adapt to life without Joey on the farm.
The whole auditorium was mesmerised as the puppeteers portrayed the horses in training before they wee sent off to battle in scenes shortly before the interval. Before you know what is happening, the battle scenes and destruction bring the themes of war and death to the forefront of your mind.
War Horse has been studied by many primary school children across the land first and foremost for its depiction of the First World War. Although the First World War was a period of time full of fear, war and sadness, this production takes us back to an era which also contains treasured memories and moments of happiness.
When reflecting on this production and the immensity and scale of it, it was hard to pinpoint why it is a four star production and not a five star production. This production is not particularly appropriate for children, which is a shame because this play originates from a children’s novel.
Although particular decisions on design had been used for effect, this caused the production at times to feel particularly dark and the weight of the themes being explored and the era of history felt particularly heavy as an audience member. Along with the length of the show at 2 hours and 40 minutes, act two felt particularly drawn out in places with a prolonged use of dialogue throughout.
Is Joey ok? Is not hearing anything or hearing just enough more difficult for Albert? Find out in this production of War Horse which continues at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal Concert Hall until Sunday 18th May 2025 before it continues on its tour of the UK including Bristol Hippodrome from Tuesday 3rd June and Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 19th August before it concludes at Norwich’s Theatre Royal on Saturday 8th November 2025.
★★★★
