National Theatre’s War Horse, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff – review

Thanks to Wales Millennium Centre for providing us with review tickets to War Horse

War Horse, the highly acclaimed theatre production from the National Theatre, is in Cardiff for two weeks as part of a major UK tour – and it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and poignant theatre shows I have ever seen.

Based on Michael Morpugo’s much-loved global best-selling book, War Horse has been watched by 8.3 million people worldwide and won more than 25 major awards. Since its world premiere in October 2007, it has become the most successful play in the history of the prestigious National Theatre, and has been performedin 97 cities in 14 countries.

And now, it’s now back in Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre for the third time following sell-out tours in 2018 and 2014, just as powerful as it ever was, and leaving its audiences shedding a tear.

Inspired by Morpurgo’s real life conversation with a First World War veteran some 45 years ago, it’s a powerful journey from rural Devon to the Western Front. At its heart is Joey, the beloved equestrian companion of 16 year old Albert Narracott (Tom Sturgess), who has reared the horse from playful foal to sturdy farm animal. When his drunken father sells Joey to the British Army, Albert is devastated and runs away to enlist, despite not being old enough, in the hope of finding his beloved friend.

The production doesn’t shy away from the atrocities of war – we see soldiers and horses dying on the battlefield, gun fire and more. But what shines through is the humanity on all sides – not just Albert’s bravery, love and determination but little touches of humour, as seen in the banter between Albert and fellow soldier David (Ike Bennett), from Sergeant Thunder (Gareth Radcliffe) as he ships the new recruits into shape, and even the desperation of German officer Friedrich Muller (Alexander Ballinger), missing his daughter at home and taking desperate steps to avoid more fighting.

The storyline is emotional enough, but the staging, lighting and sound work together to create a highly charged atmosphere, while Sally Swanson sings a melancholic mix of folk music numbers throughout. Scenery is minimal but pencil drawings, both animated and still, are projected onto a giant torn strip of paper, reflecting a scene where we see a page ripped from a notebook. One particularly harrowing moment sees silhouettes of soldiers running into battle on the stage and the backdrop behind.

As act one ends, the entire auditorium is silent, collectively holding its breath. It’s only when the lights go on that the applause begins.

And, of course, there is the puppetry which has made War Horse famous – so revolutionary at the time and inspiring theatre producers ever since. Made mostly from cane and aluminium, and operated by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, Joey and his companion military horse Topthorn are life-size and move so realistically, the swishing of their tails, the perking up of their ears, the gentle moving of their legs and hooves, the way they rear up when frightened. It’s also incredible the way the performers are able to jump up on the horses’ backs and move around the stage.

We regularly remember the humans lives lost in the First World War and rightly so. However, until I saw War Horse, I’d never really thought about the plight of our equestrian friends on the battle fields. One million horses were sent from Britain to France between 1914 and 1918 – and only 62,000 returned.

Having seen the production myself back in 2018 (when my children were too young to watch it), I loved being able to take my 14-year-old middle child to last night’s press performance. He’s a fan of Michael Morpugo’s books and has been studying World War One, when the play is set, in school, so it felt the perfect production to bring all of that to life.

With an age guidance of around 10+, it isn’t suitable for younger children. At around 2h 35 including interval, it’s a long show, with a lot of plot detail to follow, and it’s brutal and emotional at times, meaning younger more sensitive children may find it a little overwhelming.

That said, this is storytelling at its finest, a real theatrical masterpiece that you’ll be thinking about for days.

Even if you do leave the theatre asking yourself why you’re crying about a puppet!

War Horse is at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff until 25 October 2025. Tickets are still available, from £18, with performances at 7.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday and a 2.30pm matinee on Thursday and Saturday.

Age guidance 10+ (no admittance to under 2s).

Contains strong language, pyrotechnics and loud bangs.

You can book online here.

Also coming up at Wales Millennium Centre:

Six – 28 October-8 November

Top Hat The Musical – 11-15 November

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong – 18-22 November

To Kill A Mockingbird – 25-29 November

Mary Poppins – 3 December-10 January

Book online here.