By Ena Heide Poulsen
I had the delight of attending the Gala Night for the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse with @thatoxfordgirl - and what a show! As a devoted theatre and musical fan, and as someone who has watched the film adaptation of ‘War Horse,’ my expectations were high. I truly was not disappointed! The story itself is profoundly moving - I found myself shedding tears on multiple occasions - but experiencing it as a theatre play, rather than just a movie (or book), made a world of difference; the stage adaptation simply brought a new depth to the narrative.
In the play we follow the journey of Joey (War Horse) and a Devon boy named Albert during the years leading up to and throughout the First World War. While all the actors delivered stunning and heartfelt performances, the true stars of the show, for me, were the life-sized horse puppets. From Joey’s depiction as a foal to his adult form - as well as another horse, Joey meets while at war in France - these creations were extraordinary. Mastered by the skilled puppeteers of South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, the horses felt astonishingly real. As a horse-girl, I’m often skeptical of how horses are portrayed on stage and screen, as they’re frequently handled by people with little knowledge of the behaviour of these animals. This production, however, was an exception. Every detail of the horses’ movements was captured with precision - from the flick of an ear to the subtle shifting of weight in their stance. Their eyes, their breathing, their entire presence on stage exuded authenticity. It was mesmerizing.
Beyond the horses, the stage design was deceptively simple but incredibly effective. With minimal set changes, the production captured a range of moods and moments - from Joey plowing a field in Devon to the vibrant yet ominous scenes of young men eagerly enlisting for war, complete with the blitz of cameras. As the story shifted to the brutal realities of war, the set transformed again, with barbed wire, battlefield trenches, and sometimes lifeless bodies starkly portraying the grim cost of conflict.
This truly ranks as one of the most memorable shows I’ve ever seen, and I’d return in a heartbeat. The music was breathtaking, lingering in my mind long after the final curtain fell. As I left the theatre, I found myself reflecting on how astonishing human and animal nature is and how love and friendship prevails even in the darkest of times.
The New Theatre Oxford also played its part in creating a fantastic evening. With access to delicious drinks and snacks before and during the performance, the overall experience felt indulgent and well-organized. This was my first time attending a show at the theatre, but it certainly won’t be my last. With performances of this caliber, there’s no need to make the journey to London for top-tier theatre.
Keep your eyes peeled for productions this term!
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