War Horse puppet star is no pantomime cuddy

The National Theatre's production of War Horse, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, arrives at Glasgow's SEC Armadillo from January 15 to February 2.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Sep 2018, 17:27 BST
Updated 21st Sep 2018, 18:31 BST
gratis editorial image... The National Theatres acclaimed production of War Horse, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo arrives at The SEC Armadillo from 15 January  2 February 2019 as part of a national tour. Today (Friday 14th September 2018) Joey, the life-size equine puppet from War Horse made a special early appearance at the venue after performing in the SEC Centre to a specially invited audience. The event also included a talk about the history of the show from War Horses Assistant Puppetry Director, Matthew Forbes. The puppeteers operating Joey in Glasgow are Gareth Aled (Head), Michael Taibi (Heart) and Antony Antunes (Hind).gratis editorial image... The National Theatres acclaimed production of War Horse, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo arrives at The SEC Armadillo from 15 January  2 February 2019 as part of a national tour. Today (Friday 14th September 2018) Joey, the life-size equine puppet from War Horse made a special early appearance at the venue after performing in the SEC Centre to a specially invited audience. The event also included a talk about the history of the show from War Horses Assistant Puppetry Director, Matthew Forbes. The puppeteers operating Joey in Glasgow are Gareth Aled (Head), Michael Taibi (Heart) and Antony Antunes (Hind).
gratis editorial image... The National Theatres acclaimed production of War Horse, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo arrives at The SEC Armadillo from 15 January  2 February 2019 as part of a national tour. Today (Friday 14th September 2018) Joey, the life-size equine puppet from War Horse made a special early appearance at the venue after performing in the SEC Centre to a specially invited audience. The event also included a talk about the history of the show from War Horses Assistant Puppetry Director, Matthew Forbes. The puppeteers operating Joey in Glasgow are Gareth Aled (Head), Michael Taibi (Heart) and Antony Antunes (Hind).

But the show is likely to be sold out long before then.

To flag up the production an invited audience got the chance to see Joey, the life-size equine puppet - and star - from the show, and met its highly skilled puppeteers.

As anyone who has seen the Steven Spielberg movie knows, War Horse is the powerful story of a young boy called Albert and his beloved horse, Joey, who has been requisitioned for service on the Western Front during the Great War.

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Caught in enemy crossfire, Joey ends up serving on both sides during the war before landing in No Man’s Land, while Albert, not old enough to enlist, embarks on a treacherous mission to find his horse and bring him home.

Some of cinematography in the movie is unforgettable, but it’s a surprise to find that the puppet horse - on which the whole stage show depends - is so effective.

That’s thanks to extraordinary “horse choreography”, lighting and effects.

War Horse is adapted by Nick Stafford and presented in association with Handspring Puppet Company.

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Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, it is designed by Rae Smith, lighting is by Tony and Olivier award-winning designer, Paule Constable and movement and horse choreography by Toby Sedgwick.

The puppetry directors are Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, with video design by 59 Productions Ltd, song-making by John Tams, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Christopher Shutt. .

Michael Morpurgo said: “The National Theatre has taken their show all over the country, to towns and cities, many of them places War Horse has not been seen before.

“I am so pleased this that so many more people will have the chance to enjoy this unique theatrical event”.

Tickets are said to be selling fast.

Related topics:Glasgow