Review: War Horse at The Bristol Hippodrome in June 2025
Posted on: 04 Jun 2025Colette Hand reviews The National Theatre production of War Horse at The Bristol Hippodrome running until 21 June 2025.
War Horse is based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, first published in 1982, this adaptation is by Nick Stafford in collaboration with the award-winning Handspring Puppet Company.
The story recounts the experiences of ‘Joey’, a horse purchased by the Army for service in World War I in France and the attempts of 15 year old Albert, his previous owner, to find him and bring him safely back home. It was adapted into an award-winning play in 2007 and a film adaptation by Steven Spielberg in 2011. The novel is now considered one of Morpurgo's best works although it was not initially so successful. In the beginning very few copies of the book were sold. 25 years later, director Tom Morris was encouraged to read the book, and two years after that came the creation of a stage play using life-sized puppets, which led to the book making a resurgence.
This production was directed by Tom Morris and Katie Henry (Revival Director), and showcases an excellent puppetry team consisting of Adrian Kohler responsible for Puppet Design and Fabrication, Puppetry Director Matthew Forbes, Assistant Puppetry Director Lewis Howard, and of course credits wholeheartedly and deservedly go to Eloise Beaumont-Wood, Diany Samba-Bandza, and Jordan Paris, who brought to life ‘Joey’ as a foal, Riana Ash, Chris Milford, and Thomas Goodridge, who had the challenge of controlling a spirited grown up ‘Joey’, and Tom Quinn, Lewis McBean, and Michael Larcombe with the similar task of holding the reins of rival horse, come companion, ‘Topthorn’. Full credit must also undoubtedly go to Toby Sedgwick, Director of Movement and Horse Choreography, for the expert portrayal of equine movement, the skittishness of a young, wary and frightened foal, and horse were captured perfectly with the twitching of ears and the swishing of tail, the whinnying, the snorting and panting of a horse under threat.
The music was atmospheric and moving but not overpowering.
Sally Swanson's singing was sublime, beautiful and melodic at times, powerful and stirring at others. This was a fantastic cast whose voices complemented each other rather than competing against.
Rae Smith did an amazing job of illustrating the story from rural Devon to the battlefront of the Somme.
Like Michael Morpurgo, I also studied war poetry by Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen, which went some way in illustrating the horrors of the First World War, the destruction, gassing, loss of life and limbs, and shellshock. At university, I studied art by War artists. I saw many graphic and horrific illustrations, paintings, and photographs. I remember my grandmother fearing another war, saying that she would hide my uncles in the cellar under the house, telling me that World War One was supposed to be the war to end all wars, a line that is echoed in the performance. I now have a son and a grandson, who are older than the young men who were barely out of childhood when they went off to fight for their King and country, many to never return. I can't begin to understand how their families coped with the worry and later on the grief they suffered. Morpurgo wanted to tell of the destruction, suffering, grieving, and courage from all sides in war.
I went to see the show having not read the book or seen the film or the show. However, nothing could prepare me for the strength of my emotions during and after watching this play. I found it harrowing in places. This production graphically brings home the devastation and futility of war. How people have been and still are being used as cannon fodder, misled by corrupt and greedy world leaders. Perhaps our world leaders should see a performance such as this.
I felt in need of a stiff drink in the interval. I was filled with such immense sadness and anger at what had happened during World War One and how nothing has been learned. No one wants another war.
Everyone I know who had previously seen the stage show told me it was fantastic, marvellous, wonderful etc. but nothing could have prepared me for this. This show is a must-see. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not normally emotional or easily moved to tears, but be warned this is emotional, so be prepared for tears and take a tissue or two. There were some comic and light-hearted moments (especially with the goose at the end!), but I was so moved and it was so thought provoking that I didn't always feel like laughing.
In saying that, I was so glad that I got the opportunity to see this amazing production.
A BIG Thank you and well done to everyone involved. You have all worked wonders and created something amazing.
Get Bristol Hippodrome tickets here
Article by:
Colette Hand, BA graduate of Bath Spa University and retired primary school teacher. Now an avid crafter for charity and volunteer shop assistant for SENSE charity. Enjoys time spent with twin grandchildren.
