[NEohioPAL] Berko review: WARHORSE @ The Palace

[Roy Berko]

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Compelling WARHORSE grasps the imagination at the Palace*

Roy Berko

Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle

One of the fears of seeing a show which I regarded as one of the most
mesmerizing that I’ve ever seen, was that the touring company of WARHORSE
would fade by comparison.  It did, somewhat, but still came out an exciting
winner in the derby called theatre.

WARHORSE, which was originally staged in the US at the Vivian Beaumont
Theatre in New York’s Lincoln Center, after a smash London run, is the
story of the bond between Albert, a British farm boy, and Joey, his
magnificent horse.  It is based on a World War I novel by Michael Morpurgo,
as adapted by Nick Stafford.

World War I, the war to end all wars, was a bloody battle in which an
estimated 10 million soldiers lost their lives.  An overlooked fact is
that, since the conflict was highlighted by cavalry battles, eight million
horses were slaughtered.  The steeds were cut down as the weapons of
warfare, including barbed wire, machine guns, cannons and armored tanks,
became the weapons of destruction.  Animals were no match for these
instruments.

The plot travels from the English countryside to the fields of France and
Germany.  Joey, a colt, which was bought by Albert’s father in a drunken
bidding contest with his hated brother, has developed into a prized horse.
At the start of the war, the father, enticed by money, sells the animal to
the British military.  Distraught, underage Albert enlists in an attempt to
search out and save his steed.  Through a series of searing battles we see
how horse and boy eventually are reunited.

WARHORSE won 2011 Tony Awards for best play, directing, scenic design,
lighting and sound design, plus a special award for Handspring Puppet
Company of South Africa for creating all the realistic animals (horses,
birds and a hysterically funny goose).   Every one of those citations was
well deserved.

The visual elements of the production are impresively honed.  The battle
scenes are scary and realistic, especially since this is a live stage
production, not a movie where scenes are done over and over and graphics
added.  The death and carnage of humans and animals is engrossing.
Projections and physical elements, barbed wire, and bomb explosions, fill
the stage.  Birds fly, weather changes, people and animals live and die.

Nothing is more impressive than the life-sized puppet horses.  They are
magnificent creatures which are ridden, whinny, display unique
personalities, and become living creatures before our eyes.  The only
technical thing missing in the touring production, besides the stylized
armored tanks, was the lack of change in physical size as the steeds become
malnourished.

Even the musical interludes, which help tell the story, are focused and
encompassing.

Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr’s direction and Toby Sedgwick’s horse
choreography are flawless.  The staging is mind-boggling.

The cast is excellent.  Local theatre goers recognized Andrew May, long
time Cleveland Play House and Great Lakes Theatre actor and director, as
the tender-hearted, horse loving Captain Muller, the German officer.  As
came to be expected in his local appearances, May was excellent.   Outside
of the horses, May got the loudest applause during the curtain call.

Alex Morf makes young Albert so real that his agony becomes ours.  Angela
Reed, as Albert’s mother, personifies a woman caught between the love for
her son and finding a way to live with her often drunk and sullen husband.
Megan Loomis as Song Woman and John Loughlin as Song Man create numerous
emotional moments with their music.  In the huge cast, there is not a weak
performance.

The audience appreciation was evident by the resounding curtain call.  The
human actors were applauded, the horses got an extended standing ovation,
and  even the goose got screams of approval.

*Capsule judgement: Filled with amazing puppetry, stirring music, a
riveting story, compelling graphics, and fine acting, WARHORSE is
mesmerizing must see theatre. *

WARHORSE runs through April 21, 20013 as part of the Key Bank Broadway
Series at the Palace Theatre in downtown Cleveland.  For tickets call
216-241-6000 or go on-line to www.playhousesquare.org

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