War Horse - A Northern Theatre News review

Some productions never lose their power. War Horse, which graced the National Theatre stage in 2007, has returned to Leeds Grand Theatre and proves once again why it stands as one of the most impressive pieces of theatre of the 21st century.

Joey as a foal

On the surface, it’s the story of Joey, a farm horse sold to the cavalry and thrust into the horrors of the First World War, and the sixteen-year-old Albert who refuses to give up on him.

On stage, it’s so much more. It is a heroic journey, a test of loyalty, courage, and yet always contrasted with the devastating human cost of war.

At times the devastation elicited gasps, tears, and startled jumps, as gunfire and cannon fire reverberated through a theatre once used as a recruitment centre during World War I, our venue now made eerily complicit in the story unfolding on stage.

The puppetry remains the show’s beating heart. Joey and Topthorn (the other starring horse), crafted by Handspring Puppet Company, are astonishing creations. The swish of a tail, the twitch of an ear and the full-body shudder of fear mean that within moments you forget the operators and see only living, breathing animals.

Outside Leeds Grand Theatre

Yet War Horse is not just spectacle. Its intimacy lies in the detail; the tender bond between Albert and Joey, a mother’s quiet resolve, uneasy friendships formed across battle lines.

These smaller moments give the drama its soul, making the losses hit harder and the triumphs climb higher.

Amid the turmoil, there’s lighter relief too, most memorably in the mischievous farmyard goose. Operated with the same ingenuity as the larger animals, its perfectly-timed waddles, flaps and squawks had the audience in stitches, a reminder that the Handspring team’s puppetry magic extends far beyond the horses.

No Golden Eggs here

Topthorn

The cast bring humanity to Michael Morpurgo’s story, led with a subtle conviction by Tom Sturgess as Albert Narracott. The Narracott family is grounded by Karl Haynes as Ted and Jo Castleton as Rose, both delivering performances infused with honesty and grit.

Additional standouts include Alexander Ballinger as Captain Friedrich Müller and Sally Swanson as the Singer, whose musical interludes bring rich emotional depth that feel earthy and grounded.

Under the direction of Tom Morris, with revival director Katie Henry shaping this tour, the production balances scale with intimacy. Rae Smith’s evocative designs conjure both bucolic Devon and the chaos of the front, while Paule Constable’s lighting and Adrian Sutton’s sweeping score layer epic scale with haunting stillness. Toby Sedgwick’s movement and the sketchbook-like projections from 59 Productions add further subtle texture, ensuring the staging feels as fresh and inventive as ever.

Great ensemble cast!

In the threnches

Underneath its awe-inspiring spectacle, the production never shies away from its message. It speaks to the futility of war, the human cost of class divisions and the brutal economics that shape so many of the decisions in the story.

These themes are given texture through the intimate bond between Albert and Joey, and how even small gestures contrast the weight of conflict.

By the final curtain, you feel as though you've weathered the trenches with Albert, Joey, and so many others. This is not just a play. It’s a visceral, beautiful testament to theatre’s enduring power.

The standing ovation was long and vigorous, so much so that my Fitbit mistook my clapping for exercise and wanted to know if I was swimming. I was actually sobbing but there didn’t seem to be a Fitbit selection for that.

Cast (from War Horse website)

  • Rianna Ash – Joey / Topthorn Head

  • Alexander Ballinger – Captain Friedrich Müller / Allan

  • Eloise Beaumont-Wood – Joey as a Foal

  • Ike Bennett – David Taylor / Thomas Bone

  • Haydn Burke – Billy Narracott / Sergeant Klebb

  • Sophie Cartman – Matron Callaghan

  • Jo Castleton – Rose Narracott

  • Owen Dagnall – Alternate Albert Narracott / Geordie

  • Felicity Donnelly – Joey / Topthorn Hind

  • Tom Gilbey – Sergeant Fine (Movement & Puppetry Captain)

  • Thomas Goodridge – Joey / Topthorn Hind

  • Karl Haynes – Ted Narracott / Brandt

  • Robin Hayward – Joey / Topthorn Heart

  • Danny Hendrix – Veterinary Officer Martin

  • Michael Larcombe – Joey / Topthorn Hind

  • Matthew Lawrence – Joey / Topthorn Head

  • Madeleine Leslay – Paulette / Sarah Carter

  • Clara Lioe – Emilie / Joey as a Foal

  • Damian Lynch – Chapman Carter / Colonel Strauss

  • Lewis McBean – Joey / Topthorn Heart

  • Chris Milford – Joey / Topthorn Heart (Co-Fight Captain)

  • Christopher Naylor – Private Klausen / Priest

  • Jordan Paris – Joey as a Foal (Co-Fight Captain)

  • Anne-Marie Piazza – Nell Allan / Private Schnabel (Song Captain)

  • Tea Poldervaart – Joey / Topthorn Head

  • Tom Quinn – Joey / Topthorn Head

  • Gareth Radcliffe – Arthur Narracott / Sergeant Thunder

  • Daniel Rock – Captain Stewart / Ludwig

  • Simon Stanhope – Manfred

  • Tom Sturgess – Albert Narracott

  • Gun Suen – Joey / Topthorn Hind

  • Sally Swanson – The Singer

  • Lucy Thorburn – Jenny Bone / Nurse Annie Gilbert

  • Chris Williams – Lieutenant Nicholls / Doctor Schweyk (Voice Captain)

  • Rafe Young – Joey / Topthorn Heart

Puppeteers (at performance on 19/08)

Joey

  • Head - Tom Quinn

  • Heart - Lewis McBean

  • Hind - Michael Larcombe

Topthorn

  • Head - Tea Poldervaart

  • Heart - Robin Hayward

  • Hind - Gun Suen

Joey as a foal

  • Head - Jordan Paris

  • Heart - Eloise Beaumont-Wood

  • Hind - Clara Lioe

Creatives (from War Horse website)

  • Michael Morpurgo – Author

  • Nick Stafford – Adaptor

  • Tom Morris – Director

  • Katie Henry – Revival Director

  • Rae Smith – Designer / Drawings

  • Adrian Kohler – Puppetry Design/Fabrication (for Handspring Puppet Company)

  • Rob Casey – Lighting Designer

  • Toby Sedgwick – Director of Movement and Horse Choreography

  • Matthew Forbes – Puppetry Director

  • Nicol Scott and Ben Pearcy – Animation and Projection Design (for 59)

  • Adrian Sutton – Music

  • John Tams – Songmaker

  • Christopher Shutt – Sound Designer

  • Jill Green CDG – Casting Director

  • Olivia Laydon and Tom Shiels – Casting Associates

  • William Fricker – Associate Designer

  • Johanna Coe – Associate Costume Designer

  • Tom Turner – Associate Lighting Designer

  • Matthew Gough – Music Associate

  • Rob Bettle and Raffaela Pancucci – Associate Sound Designers

  • Anna Marshall – Associate Director

  • Lewis Howard – Assistant Puppetry Director

  • Charlotte King – Props Supervisor

  • Alberto Achar – Associate Props Supervisor

  • Sarah Holmes – Costume Supervisor

  • Aimee Carter – Assistant Costume Supervisor

  • Charly Dunford – Assistant Lighting Designer

  • Dom Coyote – Musical Director

  • Carol Fairlamb – Voice Coach

  • Rebecca Daltry – Dialect Coach

  • Paul Benzing – Fight Director

  • Samantha Adams – Dramatherapist