Leeds Grand Theatre – until Saturday 6th September 2025
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
5*****
The National Theatre’s acclaimed, award-winning production, War Horse, returns to the stage and is currently playing at Leeds Grand Theatre, as part of a major UK and Ireland tour. Based on the well-loved novel by Michael Morpurgo. Written, after a fireside chat with a veteran about his experiences of The Great War, WWI, War Horse is a fictional depiction based around those tales. This production is adapted by Nick Stafford, directed by Tom Morris, with revival director, Katie Henry.
A young horse is bought at auction by a drunken farmer, Ted Narracott (Karl Haynes). His sone Albert (Tom Sturgess) develops a close bond with the horse and names him Joey. As war breaks out Joey is sold to the British Army, shipped to France to aid the campaign to stop the German Kaiser invasion of Belgium. Albert is devastated and wants to go with Joey, but he is too young to join up, but he is assured that Joey will be back on the farm in time for Christmas. Little did anyone anticipate that this operation would far exceed the couple of months predicted. What follows is an emotional, harrowing tale of the realities of war.
Joey is subjected to the horrors of WWI. He befriends another horse, a magnificent beast named Topthorn. The Captain who bought him is killed in battle, where we see only Joey and Topthorn surviving, the Germans then take possession of them both. They are put to use, pulling ambulance carriages, before being redeployed, hauling heavy artillery. Albert in the meantime decides to join up, even though he is too young, in an effort to find his beloved horse.
The stage show works so well because of the amazing, jaw dropping puppetry, by Handspring Puppet Company, that is used. The horses are created with a metal framework, with a swishing tail, moveable neck, ears and legs and sound. They are powered by some truly amazing puppeteers. I must mention all that I was lucky enough to watch in action on the night. For young Joey we had Jordan Paris, Eloise Beaumont-Wood and Clara Lioe, older Joey, Tom Quinn, Lewis McBean and Michael Larcombe and Topthorn was Tea Poldervaart, Robin Hayward and Gun Suen. They brought the horses to life with such realism it was easy to forget they weren’t real. The horses are even ridden by the actors. It is an incredible sight to behold and worth the ticket price alone. Not only do we see horses, but a squawky puppet goose wheeling across the stage, brings a bit of light relief.
I thought it was amazing to see Joey as a foal, but when he morphed onto the stage as his older self, wow. To see the fluid motion of a huge horse rearing up, with the sound and action all around, it was breathtaking and a standout of the show.
The backdrop of the stage is black, with what looks like a scrap of paper across it, much like the scrap of paper that Albert carries with him with a sketch of Joey. This backdrop is used to project drawings by Rae Smith, as the story unfolds. These sketches are very effective and only enhance, synching with the action taking place on the stage.
The show isn’t just puppets, there is a large cast of actors who are impressive too. The collective voice, when the actors came together as one, provided a powerful use of storytelling. Folk music is used to narrate the play. Sally Swanson has a beautiful voice and was amazing as the singer. The use of sound and lighting plays a crucial role in this show. It creates a realistic and emotional depiction of war, its impact packed a punch.
War Horse isn’t shy in retelling the horrors of war. It is heart wrenching to witness the suffering of animals and humans from all sides, in the name of war. The love shared between horse and man, though Joey and Albert, is so touching to watch. For the Great War Britain sent across roughly one million horses, with just over half surviving.
This production is a truly marvellous, stunning piece of theatre. It explores themes of love, loyalty and resilience. It is imaginative, powerful, thrilling and emotional to watch, make sure you take a hankie with you. A visual masterpiece.
Wow, oh wow. This should be on your bucket list of shows to see. One of the best productions I have ever seen!