War Horse

The National Theatre’s production of War Horse has attracted so much media coverage since it was brought to the London stage that any review is inevitably going to cover well-trodden ground for those familiar with the show. Brought to us as part of the wonderful NT Live series of UK theatre productions recorded in hi-def video and presented in cinemas nationally by Sharmill Films, War Horse tells the deeply affecting story of a boy and his horse. In the first act, we meet young farmhand Albert, his family and relatives, and watch as a deeply heartfelt relationship develops between the sensitive, insecure Albert and Joey, the horse his father has won in a wager. The war (WWI) doesn’t become part of the setting until the second act, in a somewhat jarring transposition through which we’re introduced to an entirely new set of characters – English and German soldiers and a local peasant girl in the Swiss countryside.

Coral Drouyn’s review of the Melbourne staging of essentially the same National Theatre production noted the above and other issues with the story construction, so I won’t labour the point by going over that ground here. It is worth noting, however, that the excellent direction and acting of this British production helps it to transcend the limitations of the script. Elements which would otherwise be missing due to their apparent absence in the text are supplied subtextually through the actors’ non-verbal performances – this is a carefully constructed and thought-out production, with a well-chosen cast of strong actors.

The obvious highlight of the piece remains the magnificent horses, brought to life via puppetry. Despite the puppeteers (three or four per horse) being visible throughout, their skill in creating believable characters meant they were completely forgotten soon after the eye registered their appearance. Instead, the horses came to life as distinctive, real personas, for whom you could empathise, care for and cry for. That is a terrific achievement in itself - and placed within the context of a production which has been brought into being with such care and commitment, it renders War Horse a truly unmissable experience.

Visit www.sharmillfilms.com.au for details of participating cinemas showing the film.

Alex Paige