War Horse - National Theatre, Olivier

SYNOPSIS

War Horse

Once in a while a theatre production comes along that is capable of holding its audience spellbound - immersed in what they see for the duration of the performance. War Horse at London's Royal National Theatre on the south bank of the River Thames is one such production. With a cast that includes actors 'blended' into life-sized horse puppets, the show rewinds time to World War I. It introduces us to Joey - the horse of a young boy called Albert. At the outbreak of war Joey is requisitioned by the British army's cavalry division, and taken to France to serve in the Great War. The horror and futility of war unfolds through the eyes of Joey, as does the heartfelt connection between man and horse during Joey's service for both the British and German armies. But it is Albert, who signs up with the express intention of tracking his horse down and bringing him home, who becomes the hero - rescuing his wounded and wandering Joey from the mists of No Man's Land.

War Horse, adapted for stage by Nick Stafford from the children's story of the same name written by Michael Morpurgo, is an epic adventure…a must-see piece of theatre. The show is directed by Marianne Elliot and Tom Morris and features many clever staging techniques, including a rotating platform and scenery screen to the rear.

Handspring Puppet Company

War Horse is the creation of the National Theatre in association with the Handspring Puppet Company. Based in South Africa the Handspring Puppet Company has been at the forefront of adult puppetry since 1985. They have created many international productions, amazing audiences the world over with the intensity of interaction between puppets and actors on stage, and the puppets' life-like mannerisms.

Founders Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler's South African roots influence much of the work that the Handspring Puppet Company produce. Their original focus was the creation of new African plays for children. In 1985 their first adult production 'Episodes of an Easter Rising' premiered in Cape Town. International recognition followed in 1991 with 'StarBrites' as it toured the UK, Ireland and Denmark - thus commencing the company's rise to international stardom.

In War Horse, the Handspring Puppet Company aimed to create stylised yet realistic life-size horse puppets. The puppets are fully articulated having been constructed of cane bent and twisted onto plywood platforms and overlain with a translucent fabric. Their creations are strong - able to accommodate a rider on top of them. Other horse creations in the show are more abstract and without legs.

War Horse at London's Royal National Theatre

Following a highly successful 2007 season, War Horse has returned to the National Theatre in 2008. Public performances run from 23 July at the Olivier Theatre - the largest of the three theatre auditoriums that make up the National Theatre. The Olivier Theatre is named after Sir Laurence Olivier, who became the first director of the National Theatre. The theatre seats up to 1,150 guests in a fan-shaped arrangement over two tiers. It also features the Drum Revolve - a rotating stage that is an essential element in the way the War Horse story unfolds on stage.