★★★★★

“Every part is played with truth and passion, the cast make us feel, even cry at times”

The National Theatre’s new production based on the well known, much loved book by author Michael Morpurgo, is compelling viewing. A powerful indictment of conflict and the utter chaos of war, War Horse interrogates the things which test us and allow us to grow in understanding, albeit through unimaginable suffering. It is at once, both devastating and a powerful, life changing, piece of theatre.

Albert Narracott, a sixteen year old farmer’s boy living in rural Devon, is given the task of training up young Joey, a beautiful, feisty horse who had been bought in a bad-tempered bidding war by Albert’s quarrelsome, drunk father. Albert’s task is to turn Joey into a working horse. Their growing bond and successes in the face of adversity, are joyous.

When war comes, the peace of farm life is broken, men enlist and good, strong horses are bought by the army to work in the fields of war. Albert’s beloved Joey is sold by his father, betraying his promise to Albert. Albert cannot bear the loss of his best friend Joey and undertakes a journey into war, with the aim of safely bringing him back home. The parallel, integral story of the horses Joey and Topthorn, a thoroughbred mount, as they are compelled to serve first British, then German forces, mirrors the violent conflict faced by troops, alongside the power of friendship amongst men and animals. When we see war through the horses’ eyes, we see more clearly.

Albert (Tom Sturgess) holds the stage, as he wrestles challenges with bravery, gentleness and single minded determination. From bullied son and gentle companion of Joey, to vulnerable yet emboldened soldier, he captivates throughout. He is our son, our future too.

Joey and Topthorn are awesomely commanding full size puppet horses from The Handspring Puppet Company and are undoubtedly a core part of the success of the production. Puppetry Director Matthew Forbes and the puppeteers who perform in rotation, succeed in portraying the non verbal communication of the horses. The skilled and enthralling puppetry shows them as both warriors and victims, alongside the men at war and the women left behind. The poignance of both horses setting their rivalry aside and settling down to chew the grass side by side, is matched with jaw dropping moments of pure theatre, with both horses involved in the full thrust and horror of war.

Every part is played with truth and passion, the cast make us feel, even cry at times. The nuanced gentleness and ‘stiff upper lip’ of Lieutenant Nicholls (Chris Williams), the comedic banter and potted French of Sergeant Thunder (Gareth Radcliffe), and the gallows humour and bitter-sweet comradeship of David Taylor (Ike Bennett) are examples of the talent on display.

Safe in the directorial hands of Tom Morris and Katie Henry, the work retains its magical spectacle of puppetry, filmic, visceral storytelling, animation and music. The songs, written by John Tams and performed with gritty soulfulness by Sally Swanson and the cast, offer the best of the English folk tradition: memorable, simple and stirring. They complement the power of Adrian Sutton’s orchestral soundtrack, without which the full power and experience of War Horse could not be realised.

The simple, suspended sets (a frayed paper drawing page, where the light edges in) allow our imagination to combine with the creative drawings (Rae Smith) and animations, to immerse us evermore. The highly effective use of lighting zones (Rob Casey), where animals and cast move into and out of view, adds spine tingling perfection when the cast appear from the dark, or a horse rears into view.

Although some of the scenes are disturbing, they are totally necessary in bringing Morpurgo’s work to life and portraying the full horror of war. Touching and moving, War Horse is a must-see experience.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at the Duchess Theatre

★★★★★

“May it enjoy 10 more years of destroyed sets and injured cast members!”

The Play That Goes Wrong celebrates its 10th anniversary this year making it the 28th longest-running show on the West End. Conceived by the Mischief Theatre Company, which has gone on to have numerous ‘Goes Wrong’ successes with their winning formula, The Play That Goes Wrong has been seen by just shy of 1,660,000 people since it first premiered on the West End stage in 2014. Though, it is perhaps more aptly to measure in disaster statistics – its 106 actors have been hit 125,000 times and the audience subjected to over 11,000 minutes of looped dialogue.

For those unaware of the smash hit, the play follows the plucky young members of The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they try to put on a performance of an Agatha Christie style murder mystery called The Murder at Haversham Manor. Whilst the group’s performance is introduced by the already exasperated Chris Bean (Daniel Fraser), the in-show Director-cum-Stage Designer-cum-Prop Maker-cum-Any other role that you can think of, we see the state management team frantically trying to repair the stage and find a dog that has run off. A clear sign of what mayhem is to come!

And the play’s name couldn’t be more apt – everything really does go wrong. From the set falling apart, actors being knocked out, injuries to all manner of body parts, looped dialogue, misused props, breaking the fourth wall, cast squabbles, and even drinking white spirit – the cast cannot catch a break! Much hilarity ensues however from the cast pressing on no matter what – never deterred, even when they may be gripping on for dear life to a slipping desk on a falling ledge.

The performance’s cast cannot be faulted – they all bring a great vibrancy and humour to their roles, both as the student actors and their Haversham Manor counterparts. Most notable are Daniel Anthony as the adorably stumbling butler Perkins and Jay Olpin as the over-enthusiastic Cecil Haversham who has the perfect cheeky grin and comic movements for the role.

As this was the 10th anniversary performance, the audience was also treated to cameos from some of the original cast members as well as writer Jonathan Sayer. There are also the characteristic fourth wall breaks such as Robert Grove as Thomas Colleymore (Owen Jenkins) questioning why anyone would have a Duran Duran CD in 2024.

The set is brilliantly constructed. Its fluidity is highly impressive – the audience is continually surprised by what can and cannot be moved. Pyrotechnics are also used for some added flare. There is a working lift (until it goes up in smoke) and two floors whose failings lead to some of the play’s funniest scenes.

There is some reliance on recurring bits that in a few instances get old. The various characters drafted in to play Lady of the Manor Florence Colleymore are all knocked out at least once and fight incessantly amongst each other. Characters never leave the stage quickly – always doing a slow turn to the audience before exiting. Some more variety here would be particularly welcome – it is hilarious when the deceased Charles Haversham (Alex Bird) attempts to drag himself offstage without the audience noticing. More audience participation would also be welcome – Fraser responds excellently to an audience member who shouts out a minor spoiler during the famous ledger scene: “Do you have any idea how important this night is!?” he cries.

There is no doubt as to why this play has had such longevity. The setting and its hammed-up characters are instantly recognisable – the conventions to be broken and exaggerated immediately apparent. The slapstick is Fawlty Towers-esque – the frustration of the cast’s keener thespians growing and growing as the play’s chaos continues to mount. The show is also a lot of fun – humour is derived from wit as much as a sudden violent clash – and the set and in-show stage management team add a further playfulness. This is a show unafraid to show the ridiculous and the absurd behind the scenes of putting on a performance, and the audience could not be more appreciative.

Whether you are a fan of slapstick or not, you cannot help but have fun at The Play That Goes Wrong. May it enjoy 10 more years of destroyed sets and injured cast members!

Tag Archives: Recommended Show

🎭 TOP TOURING SHOW 2024 🎭

WAR HORSE

★★★★★

UK Tour

WAR HORSE at The Lowry

★★★★★

“Every part is played with truth and passion, the cast make us feel, even cry at times”

WAR HORSE at The Lowry then UK tour continues

Reviewed on 22nd September 2024

by Lucy Williams

Photography by Brinkhoff Moegenburg

More five star shows from this month:

GUYS & DOLLS | ★★★★★ | BRIDGE THEATRE | September 2024

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG | ★★★★★ | DUCHESS THEATRE | September 2024

THE BELT | ★★★★★ | THE CORONET THEATRE | September 2024

JAZZ CONVERSATIONS | ★★★★★ | THE PLACE | September 2024

WAR HORSE

WAR HORSE

Click here to see our Recommended Shows page

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

★★★★★

Duchess Theatre

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at the Duchess Theatre

★★★★★

“May it enjoy 10 more years of destroyed sets and injured cast members!”