Susan Granger’s review of “The War Horse” (Vivian Beaumont Theater/Lincoln Center)
Years ago, the great actress Lillian Gish called Hollywood an emotional Detroit, where you buy a catharsis instead of a car. That holds true for “The War Horse,” which – quite simply – is the most thrilling theatrical experience I can recall. Spellbinding and emotionally resonant, it’s magnificent!
Set in the countryside of Devon, England, the story begins before World War I, as a young farm boy, Albert Narracott, falls in love with a chestnut colt he names Joey. An Irish hunter, Joey is the result of a cross between an English thoroughbred and half-Irish Draft horse. When war breaks out and the British government requisitions horses for the cavalry, Joey is shipped to the trenches of France, where he’s soon caught up in the brutality of barbed wire and enemy fire. Then fate takes him on an amazing journey, delivering him to a compassionate officer (Peter Hermann) behind German lines. Meanwhile, now-16 year-old Albert (Seth Numrich) enlists in the Army, determined to find his beloved horse and bring him home.
Based on the 1982 children’s book by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford, it’s inventively directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris. Yet its inherent genius belongs to South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company creators, Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, who created Joey and his life-size equine cohorts from metal, cane and gauze. In the hands of three skilled puppeteers, two working inside the body and another standing outside, manipulating the head, high-strung Joey springs to life. He snorts, whinnies, flicks his tail, rears up on his hind legs and gallops, along with his black stallion companion Topthorn.
But it’s not just the spectacle that envelops the audience. It’s the warm, intimate, captivating story that’s melded with Rae Smith’s impeccable stagecraft and an acting ensemble company of 35. Not surprisingly, Steven Spielberg has already completed a film version which will be released later this year.
Imported from the National Theater of Great Britain, “The War Horse” is booked into the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center for a long time – and I suspect it will sell-out every day of its run. If you see only one show, this should be it!