War Horse at The Bristol Hippodrome theatre review

Posted on: 2015-01-15

Our rating:

War Horse ended its first night in Bristol spectacularly well. I very much doubt it shall be reaching the end of its long run in theatres any time soon on the back of this performance. Don?t miss it!


 

War Horse is undoubtedly a phenomenon. Its renown growing with each year following its success as a theatrical show and more recently a Hollywood movie, directed by Steven Spielberg. On January 14th, War Horse’s current UK tour finally brought it to Bristol and sure enough the audiences came flooding in.

Centred on the themes of reconciliation and friendship, War Horse is based upon the unwavering friendship between Albert Narracott and his horse, Joey. Their time together was cut brutally short when the First World War descends and Joey is sold as an officer’s horse. From then on, we follow Joey as he undergoes many trials and tribulations, being juggled between opposing forces. All the while Albert enlists as a soldier and follows Joey to France in a bid to find him and bring him home against all odds.

War Horse at The Bristol Hippodrome - Book your tickets on 0844 8713012

War House is indeed a visual spectacle, the novelty of the life-size puppets used in it, commanding our attention. Made with steel, leather and aircraft cable frameworks, the horses used in the show are not exactly realistic specimens to behold but because of the flexibility of the materials, the puppets move with surprisingly great elegance. Each step they take, with the help of their three “in horse” puppeteers, choreographed in such a way that you begin to see them as living characters, full of spirit and personality as they are in the novel.

Equally the backdrop used throughout the performance, though minimalistic, is captivating. Likened to a page torn from a sketchbook, which Albert carries with him later on in the play, paintings and sketches are projected onto the backdrop throughout the show to represent changes in years, locations and seasons. The use of stark white lights from the back of the stage during moments of conflict is also highly effective; the light streaming through the woven framework of the horse puppets and straight towards the audience somehow drawing them into that moment.

Of course puppets and technicalities aside, the cast are great too. Lee Armstrong stands out as the undeterred protagonist of the story Albert, who puts his life on the line at the tender age of sixteen so that he can search for his horse. Likewise, Karen Henthorn (Rose Narracott) portrays Albert’s mother perfectly. Her maternal nature and the quiet strength she harbours as her son goes off to war, reminiscent of the real war time mothers who were left behind in a daze of fear and uncertainty during World War One. Joseph Richardson’s performance as the sassy goose is also notable, bringing a welcome comic relief to the show.

It was a wonderful evening filled with great folk music, cutting performances and skilled puppetry. With the audience on their feet in applause by the final bow, War Horse ended its first night in Bristol spectacularly well. I very much doubt it shall be reaching the end of its long run in theatres any time soon on the back of this performance. Don’t miss it!

5/5 - Book tickets online here

Reviewed by Grace Fox for 365Bristol - the leading events and entertainment website for Bristol

War Horse in Bristol - 14 January until 14 February 2015 at The Bristol Hippodrome



Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.