Mesmerising, Emotional and truly outstanding are just some of the words you could use to describe the powerhouse stage show that is currently gracing the Liverpool Empire stage.
War Horse is a well loved book and movie which was later adapted to a puppet based stage show. I will be the first to admit that I was somewhat dubious about the thought of puppets on a stage however I could not be more wrong. War Horse has always been a favourite Sunday Afternoon movie for me so I went in to see this performance with a certain amount of trepidation.
War Horse goes well beyond the concept of a stage show and delivers a piece of extraordinary theatre making that is at once both epic and intimate, absolutely guaranteed to get you right in the heart. I did not make it through the first act without tears.
It is all encapsulating, within a few moments of being in the theatre, the puppets no longer look like puppets and you fell as though you are genuinely watching scenes from the battlefield. The combination of lighting and sound design by the team at National Theatre is truly stunning. It is hardhitting, it is emotional, it is brilliant.
War Horse has over 20 stunning puppets that truly carry the heartbreaking story of Joey. The puppets go far beyond the main characters to the poor horses that had been worked to death on the front line to the comedic goose that offers a little light relief to the more emotional scenes.
Topthorn is an absolutely stunning piece of puppetry and his design captures the beauty of the animal and the puppeteers manage to convey the relationship between Joey and Topthorn extremely well. The relationship between the two horses and how they pull each other through the most extreme circumstances really speaks to the heart.
For those unfamiliar with the story it follows Albert Narracott (Danny Hendrix) and Joey from the farm to the battlefields. Danny Hendrix put on a stunning performance carving out a relatable and emotional connection to Joey that was clear for all to see.
War Horse is not, nor has it ever been, easy to digest. It is gritty, emotional and brings the true brutality of war to the forefront of the audiences mind. It’s an educational and theatrical genius, all in one night that you will never forget.