War Horse

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton 

Until March 15

SUCH has been the demand for this tour of the National Theatre’s all-conquering War Horse that standing room tickets have been added to performances at the Mayflower Theatre.

It’s particularly appropriate that this show has arrived in Hampshire in 2014; its primary concern is the damage done by World War One, the outbreak of which will be marked by extensive centenary events later in the year.

The tale follows half-thoroughbred Joey and his young ‘owner’ Alfred (Lee Armstrong), first as they learn about each other on a Devon farm, and later as they separately partake in the horrors of the conflict.  

Since this triumphantly theatrical version of Michael Morpurgo’s book of the same name was launched in the National in 2007, every possible adjective and superlative descriptive term has already been used to report on the miracles achieved by the puppetry of Handspring Puppet Company.

It is simply one of those experiences which must be seen to be believed and to be fully felt, from the majesty and power of the moment when the adult Joey puppet makes his entrance onto the stage, to the great comic relief provided by the family duck, and the overwhelming, immense tragedy of the loss of life, human and animal.

In one perfect symbolic moment, a trio of puppeteers move out of the carcass of one of the horses and stand in respectful silence beside it before making a dignified exit, leaving the husk behind.   

And the emotive power of the whole piece is fundamentally supported by the power of Adrian Sutton and John Tams’ folk music and songs (performed in the main by Bob Fox).

There are few ‘must-see’ shows which live up to the hype, but War Horse is absolutely one of them. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to see it live.

Tickets are available from the box office on 02380 711811 or online at mayflower.org.uk.