National Theatre of Great Britain present
War Horse
Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo
Adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford in association with the Handspring Puppet Company
U.S. tour directed by Bijan Sheibani
Music by Adrian Sutton
Songs by John Tams
With Andrew Veenstra, Angela Reed, Brian Keane, Todd Cerveris, Andrew May, John Milosich, Nathan Koci, and Joey the horse (as an adult, Jon Riddleberger, Patrick Osteen, and Jessica Krueger, puppeteers)
2 hours 40 minutes (including 15 minute intermission)
In a recently aired interview with CBS News' Scott Pelley, Nobel Prize-winning author Elie Wiesel stated "War is ugly. Only peace can be noble. Heroism is usually associated with war . . .I believe in simple heroism." War Horse presents symbols of nobility and simple heroism--Joey the horse and his devoted owner Albert Narracott (Andrew Veenstra).
The first act is set in pre-World War I Devon, as brothers Arthur (Brian Keane) and Ted (Todd Cerveris) Narracott continue a sibling rivalry, beginning an ego-fueled auction bidding over Joey, a foal that is more suited for riding and racing than plow horse work. Ted wins with a county record-setting bid, and son Albert and wife Rose (Angela Reed) have to actually care for the animal and try to find a place for it on their small farm, if not prepare Joey for sale.
But Joey proves to be a versatile animal under the loving training of Albert, and eventually serves as riding horse, plow horse, cavalry officer steed, cart horse, and mover of heavy artillery. He also becomes the embodiment of a father's betrayal of trust to his son, and eventually an eyewitness and victim of the ignoble horrors of war.
The play, based on the award-winning children's novel by Michael Morpurgo, won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Play. Although the dialogue generally does not mine much memorable lines of profundity, the basic story and stage craft are riveting. The five puppet horses (Joey as a foal and adult, and Tophorn, Coco, and Heine) are dazzling achievements in horse mimicry, from gallops and bucking to subtle movements such as ear twitches and even breathing. Puppeteering also plays a prominent role in the depiction of birds, from benign songbirds to carrion eaters, and with military machines, including a shock appearance by a massive tank. English folk music frames and flavors the action, with hearty narrative singing by John Milosich and a swelling yet not overbearing score by Adrian Sutton. Minimalist stage design includes a backdrop screen which appears like a page torn out of a sketch book, with appropriate animated backdrops for the action onstage.
Effective performances include Angela Reed as the long-suffering and resourceful farm wife Rose, Andrew Veenstra as Albert, a boy who matures into a man while caring and searching for his horse, and Andrew May as German officer Captain Frederich Muller, who finds new purpose as he encounters Joey and his cavalry horse companion Tophorn on a barbwire-fragmented battlefield.
Muller perhaps makes the most profound observation in War Horse, sharing how he thought war could make him heroic, but instead has made him "half a man." In protecting Joey, a noble steed and the essence of duty and honor, he and Albert practice acts of true, simple heroism. Though not the most quotable play, the ideas and images will linger long in the playgoer's imagination.
Overall rating: ***1/2 out of ****
Playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago, through January 5, 2013, and continuing its run in London, New York, and Toronto.
