Image: National Theatre

One hundred years on from the start of the Great War provides the perfect time for the National Theatre to bring their ground breaking show War Horse, adapted from the wonderful book by Michael Morpurgo, to cinema screens as part of their NT Live programme. Since its premiere in 2007 over five million people have seen the play, which has become a worldwide success, and when watching it you can see why.

Morpurgo’s tale is a powerful one that is translated well from paper to the stage which has a blend of tragedy, drama and some light comic relief, mainly provided by a wonderful boy and his goose puppet. Based on a children’s book, War Horse tackles the difficult themes in a sensitive manner, although it is hard-hitting and doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war. Horses are often forgotten victims of WW1, but through focusing on the friendship between Albert and his beloved horse Joey we witness all the varying horrors of the war, but also see how love can bring light in a dark time.

Everything about the production is fantastic. But from the lighting to the acting and production design, the real stars of the show are the puppets and their puppeteers from the Handspring Puppet Company. Although strange at first appearance, within minutes you really believe that these puppets are real animals connecting and falling in love with them as they are given personalities. Everything is controlled from a glint in the eye to the hooves masterfully by wonderful puppeteers who we get to see and applaud. They have a majestic presence and there is nothing else quite like these puppets at the London theatre scene. War Horse is truly a landmark production that is a must see.

Emily Murray