War Horse’ is a true phenomenon. It started off as a Christmas production at the National Theatre in 2007. The thinking behind it was plain. A stage adaptation of Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ had been a huge hit, selling lots of theatre tickets in the process. Once again a book intended for younger readers by, in this case, Michael Morpurgo was taken as the starting point.

‘His Dark Materials’ had included some wonderfully skilled puppetry so it was decided by directors Tom Morris and Marianne Elliott that the international company Handspring Puppet Company would enhance the production.

It has certainly paid off. After a further run at the National Theatre, the show was transferred to the West End where it is still playing and still selling an enormous number of theatre tickets. Its home is now the New London Theatre and there is no sign of the run coming to an end.

The play is set during the First World War and tells the heart rending story of Joey the horse, who is called to the front to fight for his country. The cast includes many fine actors including Colin Mace, Roger Wilson, James Barriscale and Laura Cubitt.

It should be emphasised that all ages will be enraptured by this story.
The First World War still has a big influence on the national historical imagination. While the Second World War makes a more comfortable narrative, with Hitler a uniquely evil adversary, the senseless slaughter of young men in the earlier conflict is harder for us to understand. When Britain is at war again, making everyone think about the futility of conflict is timely.

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