A breathtaking portrayal of an incredible story that will move even non horse lovers.
Let us return to the days of the First World War – a conflict in which an estimated ten million people lost their lives. But it wasn’t only soldiers who fought with courage. Horses, too, faced the horrors of war with astonishing spirit and resilience. War Horse tells the powerful story of one such horse who never gave up, and the young man who refused to stop fighting for his beloved companion.
The stage is deceptively simple: a mostly bare set framed by a torn page from a sketchbook that serves as a constant backdrop. Rae Smith’s striking design transforms this minimal setting through evolving projections and illustrations that echo the journey of the story.
At the heart of the production is the extraordinary puppetry, designed by Adrian Kohler. The life-sized horse puppets are so beautifully crafted and so wonderfully operated that they transcend their construction. The skilled Handspring puppeteers bring them alive them with breath, weight, and emotion – and within moments, you forget you are watching puppets at all. They move as one, a single living creature on stage, capturing every nuance of equine behaviour and expression.
Much of the production’s magic is brought to life by the lighting, designed by Rob Casey. Whether through intense strobe effects in moments of battle or the gentlest sweep of a spotlight in quieter scenes, the lighting intensifies every emotion. When the lights dropped at the end of Act One, the scene was so powerful that the audience sat in stunned silence before finally erupting into applause – a rare reaction for an interval break.
Act Two continued to draw the audience in, and there were more than a few tears and sniffles throughout the theatre. The cast takes us on an emotional journey many will know from Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, but the stage adaptation still feels fresh and profound.
For those wondering whether War Horse is a musical or a play – it sits somewhere beautifully in between. While it isn’t a traditional song-and-dance musical, it features a beautifulfolk-inspired score that weaves through the story. Sally Swanson’s soulful, earthy vocals enrich the atmosphere and deepen the emotions of many scenes.
Even after nearly twenty years on stage, War Horse still feels revolutionary. It remains a masterclass in theatrical storytelling and a shining example of how puppetry can be used to breathtaking effect. This is not just a show for horse lovers – it is a story for anyone with a heart.
Gallop don’t trot to the Wales Millennium Centre before the 25th of October. For a piece of theatre that you will never forget.
