The National Theatre’s production of War Horse has arrived at Stoke’s Regent Theatre, delivering a masterclass in puppetry, storytelling and raw emotion that had the audience on their feet before the final note had even faded.
A long-awaited theatrical highlight
War Horse has been one of those productions we have been itching to see, so when the Regent Theatre invited A Little Bit of Stone along, we could not reply fast enough.
This is not a production you will want to arrive late to either. If you are not in your seat by curtain up, you will be asked to wait until a suitable break to enter. That alone shows how much care has gone into preserving the atmosphere right from the opening moments.
A haunting and atmospheric start
The stage is almost completely dark when the show begins, with a single spotlight illuminating Anne-Marie Piazza, who plays The Singer. Her haunting vocals set the tone beautifully, while a torn strip of white material, suspended across the back of the stage, acts as a projection screen. It is a simple touch that adds an incredible visual layer throughout the performance.
Our first introduction to Joey, the young foal who becomes the heart of the story, is pure theatrical magic. Brought to life by Jordan Paris (Head), Diany Samba-Bandza (Heart) and Alistair So (Hind), Joey’s playful movements and bursts of energy perfectly capture a young horse finding his way in the world.
The puppetry steals the show
As Joey matures, he is portrayed by Rianna Ash (Head), Chris Milford (Heart) and Tommy Goodridge (Hind). Their teamwork is flawless, with every twitch of an ear, shift of weight and gentle breath bringing Joey to life with astonishing realism.
Topthorn, Joey’s powerful companion, is equally captivating. Matthew Lawrence (Head), Rafe Young (Heart) and Felicity Donnelly (Hind) work in perfect sync to give Topthorn his own distinct presence, full of strength and stoicism.
The attention to detail in the horses’ physicality is remarkable. From the subtle flick of a tail to the heavier moments where exhaustion and fear take hold, every movement feels authentic. The sheer skill of the puppeteers makes you forget you are not watching real animals.
Emotional highs and surprising humour
The atmosphere inside the Regent Theatre was intense, with each scene drawing the audience further into the story. The front-line scenes were particularly gripping, showing the devastation and futility of war, but there were also moments of genuine humour.
The goose, in particular, provided some brilliant comic relief. Whether it was chasing characters across the stage or strutting about with attitude, it was a delight to watch.
Standout performances from the cast
While the puppetry rightly takes centre stage, the human performances were just as vital in making War Horse such an emotional experience.
Tom Sturgess brought warmth and vulnerability to Albert Narracott, whose love for Joey is at the heart of the story. Jo Castleton gave a wonderfully heartfelt performance as his mother, Rose Narracott, balancing strength and concern that only a mother knows.
Haydn Burke impressed as Billy Narracott and Sergeant Klebb, bringing a different energy to each role, while Alexander Ballinger’s portrayal of Captain Friedrich Müller offered a nuanced and moving look at humanity on both sides of the conflict.
Ike Bennett gave a memorable performance as David Taylor and Thomas Bone, with his interplay with Albert during the letter-writing scenes and their time in the trenches being a real highlight. Those tender moments of friendship amidst the horrors of war were some of the most touching in the whole production.
Simple staging, stunning results
Director, Tom Morris and, Revival Director Katie Henry have created a wonderful production that leans into simplicity when it comes to staging.
This stripped-back approach works perfectly, keeping the focus on the performances and allowing the audience’s imagination to fill in the gaps.
An instant standing ovation
The audience reaction said it all. As soon as the final moment ended, the entire theatre rose to their feet in unison. It was one of the quickest and most heartfelt standing ovations we have seen, with applause continuing for several minutes as the cast and crew took their well-deserved bows.
Final thoughts
We do not want to give away too much in the way of spoilers, because War Horse is one of those productions best experienced with fresh eyes. What we can say is that if you can manage to grab a ticket (and they are very nearly gone), do it. War Horse is a rare piece of theatre that is visually stunning, emotionally devastating and ultimately unforgettable.
Get your tickets
War Horse is on at Stoke’s Regent Theatre until Saturday the 8th March. Buy your tickets at – War Horse Tickets
2 comments
Jo Melhuish
I saw War Horse on the Olivier stage at the National Theatre when it first opened and really rated it as one of the best plays I’ve ever seen! When I saw it was on tour I was excited to get tickets for the Regent theatre in Stoke.
Unfortunately, for me, it didn’t really work in the venue. The cast were amazing, as was the set design but the traditional non tiered stalls seating even in £60+ seats made it very difficult to see, especially when the action moved quickly across the stage. I did think to myself, when the audience gave a standing ovation, that if they’d seen this in a more appropriate venue, there would have been dancing on the ceiling in appreciation. Do check out the seating arrangements if you’re going to see this wonderful play in a later tour venue.
Linda Hancock
Just WOW! What a performance. I attended the opening night too and whole heartedly agree with your review. Reading each word takes me back and I felt again all the emotions of the evening as Warhorse played out on the stage. The smiles, the laughter, the tears, the tingles in the spine and the sense of complete awe at the skills of the puppeteers, who brought Joey and Topthorne to life, down to the slight twitches of the ear, the breathing or snuffling, and the swishes of the tail. AMAZING! A very deserved ovation for a perfect performance.