War Horse, UK Tour Review (2024)

Tom Sturgess (Albert Narracott), Ike Bennett (David Taylor) in War Horse. Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Written by Aimee for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

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Based on the novel of the same name by Michael Morpurgo, War Horse is a moving dramatic story centering itself on World War One. It’s the story of how a beloved farm horse (Joey) is sold to the Cavalry, going on to fight for both sides in the war, all whilst his owner (Albert) yearns and fights for his return, to one day be reunited with his horse. Going into this I had no expectations as I had never read the book before, and I was pleasantly surprised by the range of emotions you feel throughout. Adapted by Nick Stafford, the play presents you with a range of emotions, from feeling the sadness of death and loss in the war to being able to laugh and leave feeling hopeful and loved.

The show is a visual feast from start to finish. The lighting design by Rob Casey is dark and atmospheric, heightening the emotion and the seriousness of the topics being presented. The drawings (Rae Smith) and the animation and projection design (Nicol Scott and Ben Percy) work splendidly together to transport us to locations such as the farm and different areas within the battlefield. For me the most memorable visual of which is the drops of blood that move and spread, eventually forming a beautiful field of poppies, a flower that has become a symbol of remembrance for all those who died during the war. The set design is minimalistic however beautiful neither the less, allowing you to focus on the intricacies of the projections, the props and most importantly, the puppets.

The puppets are the real stars of the show. Stealing the attention of the audience in every scene they appear, the puppet design by Adrian Kholer is a true wonder. The horses (named Joey and Topthorn) have this rustic exposed design, allowing the audience to see how the puppets have been built. It’s almost as if you’re looking at the skeleton of a horse, rather than a super realistic version. However, this really works for the show. Despite being able to see that ‘skeleton’ what really brings the horses to life is the work of the puppeteers, the life and energy that they breathe into the animals. They give them a personality and emotions that makes them feel real as they react to the world around them. 

Adrian Sutton’s music score is wonderful yet subtle at times. It creates this undercurrent of emotion slowly building within the dramatic scenes. You can hear and feel the tension during battlefield scenes, and yet also calm and relaxed in others. It’s a great accompaniment to the performances being given by this truly amazing cast. In terms of standout performances, there are two in particular that come to mind. Tom Sturgess as Albert gives a moving and heartbreaking portrayal, watching as he turns from an innocent young boy with a care for his horse, into a mature person broken by his experiences on the battlefield. It was a perfect portrayal of that feeling of having to love and lose something so important to you, it felt real and relatable, as if you could cry with him throughout the show. Sally Swanson as The Singer was also very memorable as she had this amazing voice that she got to really show off during the piece. Many times she would come on stage and sing these truly wonderful yet partially haunting melodies, at times joined by the rest of the cast. Swanson also got a chance to show off her talent by also playing the accordion on stage, helping bring those instrumentals to life. 

Overall War Horse is an expertly written, emotional and yet funny at times, heartbreaking show. It’s something that is suitable for families with older children or young teens. An incredible piece of theatre that makes you think about our history, and what it means to love and care for both humans and animals. 

War Horse is currently playing at The Lowry until 28th September, followed by various tour dates through 2024/25.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★