Review: WAR HORSE, Bristol Hippodrome

War Horse is nothing short of a phenomenon. What started as an unlikely idea in the bowels of the National Theatre has become a worldwide hit.

Last night, it celebrated its 10-year anniversary at the Bristol Hippodrome and on this evidence, is as fresh and vibrant as when it first galloped over the NT Olivier stage over a decade ago.

The story of a young Devon boy Albert Narracott and his horse Joey, separated by war and warring families has become a surprisingly enduring one. The moment Joey turns from foal to adult is now surely one of the most iconic in modern British theatre.

The key to the whole production lies in its simplicity. This is the perfect show to introduce theatre to kids. That can sound a little disparaging but I mean it in the best way. This is theatre to inspire. This is theatre that shows that through suggestion and imagination you can create entire worlds in the mind of an audience. You can move them to tears with the simplest of gestures from a horse made of sticks and canvas.

When you break War Horse down (as co-director Tom Morris did in his speech at the curtain call to mark the anniversary) it is a collection of wooden props, a bare stage, puppets and some clever lighting. Yet put it all together with a committed, hard working ensemble and you're transported effortlessly from the grassy fields of Devon to the mud and whizz bangs of the battlefield in France.

The puppets themselves have rightly gained plaudits - I lost count of how many snippets of conversation I heard along the lines of "you just forget that it's not a real horse" as I exited. But ultimately it is the ensemble that brings it to life.

In a piece that almost defines the word ensemble, it's hard to pick out individuals but Thomas Dennis as Albert has touching innocence and steely determination when required. Meanwhile, Peter Becker as Friedrich reminds us that even at war, the other side are just people with families and ordinary lives.

At the curtain call, Tom Morris tells us not to forget the importance of storytelling in our lives. When the storytelling is this good, it will be hard to forget.

War Horse at Bristol Hippodrome until 11 Nov

Photo Credit: Birgit and Ralph Brinkhoff

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