REVIEW: WAR HORSE @ NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

🎭 War Horse

📍 New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QG

🗓 Wednesday 6th August 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SPECTACULARLY COMPELLING THEATRE

Following the story of Joey, a horse sold to the military during World War 1, and Albert, his young owner who will go to any lengths to protect him and bring him home, WAR HORSE is an incredible production which really draws you in and tugs relentlessly on the heartstrings.

I went into this completely blind, having never read the novel or seen the movie adaptation before. It's safe to say that I was utterly blown away by this production and was literally blinded at the end as the tears stung my eyes. I am one of those people that rarely shows my emotions in public but I fell hook, line, and sinker for WAR HORSE, a show I can only describe as theatrical perfection.

As someone who watches an awful lot of theatre (indeed this was my 80th theatre visit of 2025) I can confidently proclaim that this is one of the best productions I have ever seen. I'm just annoyed with myself that it's taken me this long to see it! There is so much to love about WAR HORSE and I will try to competently put my feelings into words, although please forgive me if this review is a bit all over the place.

I really don't know where to begin with this so let's start with the creatives. Firstly the book by Nick Stafford, adapted from the novel by Michael Morpurgo is utterly captivating. Having a horse as the central character here is a thing of creative genius which really captivates from the get-go. The puppetry is truly wondrous and really breathes life into the animals in a way which is unparalleled.

The starkness of the set design really makes sure that the focus is firmly on the story and that the stage is not full of unnecessary distractions, and projections are used to enhance the storytelling in a subtly clever way. The lighting design further emphasises, as does the sound and the music. This is one of the most competently put together pieces of theatre I have ever seen.

Tom Sturgess shines as Albert. Utterly captivating, he gives a real softness to the character and not only instantly makes the audience fall in love with him, but he generously shares his emotions meaning that we are completely transfixed by him as he lays his heart bare on the stage. He is truly breathtaking and gave what is for me, without doubt the finest acting performance of the year.

In fact the entire company were phenomenal. As Albert's mother Rose, Jo Castleton was arresting. You could feel the love that she had for her family and the pain that she felt. Alexander Ballinger was both commanding and heartfelt as Captain Friederich Müller, and it was interesting to follow a story from the other side. Often only thought of as the aggressors, it can be easy to forget that there were real people on both sides of the conflict and this story beautifully illustrates that no matter the uniform they were wearing, there was loss and heartache everywhere.

The puppetry skills on display here were world class. As Joey, Rianna Ash, Chris Milford and Samuel Parker moved as one and it was easy to forget they were there and believe we were watching a real horse on the stage. The trust they have in each other is evident as they majestically deliver a powerful performance. Indeed the puppetry throughout this production is exceptional and like nothing I've seen before in any other show.

I have to give a special mention to Sally Swanson whose epic vocals were hauntingly mesmerising and were a privilege to listen to. I cannot name check the entire company, but other notable performances came from Simon Stanhope, Clara Lioe, Owen Dagnall and Karl Haynes.

This has been a difficult review for me to write because it was absolutely flawless and I loved it so much. I just hope that I have managed to do some justice to just how glorious this production really is.

WAR HORSE will stay with me for a long time. This is a truly special piece of theatre that not only lives up to the hype, it blows the mind and exceeds all expectations. It is such an honour to be able to watch something as glorious as this. It is meticulously crafted, imaginative and highly emotive. The smatterings of humour throughout brought me back from the brink of tears on more than one occasion. At one point as the story moved towards its climax, I actually shivered at what was happening because I was completely immersed into the action.

This is theatre done right and embodies everything I love about the industry. It is almost like an epic Netflix series playing out right in front of you. This is a production that pushes the boundaries of invention and just keeps giving. The atmosphere from start to finish was hypnotic.

WAR HORSE continues performances at New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 16th August and I cannot recommend it enough. If you only see one show this year then this is most definitely the one to see. Click here to book tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of War Horse was gifted by New Wimbledon Theatre who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST AT THIS PERFORMANCE:

The Horses: Rianna Ash as Joey head; Chris Milford as Joey heart; Samuel Parker as Joey hind; Tom Quinn as Tophorn head; Michael Jean Marain as Tophorn heart; Michael Larcombe as Tophorn hind / The Goose; Eloise Beaumont Wood, Clara Lioe & Jordan Paris as Joey as a foal

The People: Tom Sturgess as Albert Narracott; Alexander Ballinger as Captain Friedrich Müller / Allan; Jo Castleton as Rose Narracott; Karl Haynes as Ted Narracott / Brandt; Simon Stanhope as Arthur Narracott / Sergeant Thunder; Haydn Burke as Billy Narracott / Sergeant Klebb; Sally Swanson as The Singer; Tom Gilbey as David Taylor / Thomas Bone; Owen Dagnall as Geordie; Sophie Cartman as Matron Callaghan / Nell Allan; Chris Williams as Sergeant Fine; Madeleine Leslay as Paulette / Sarah Carter; Christopher Naylor as Private Klausen / Priest; Damian Lynch as Chapman Carter / Colonel Strauss / Manfred; Jordan Paris as Private Schnabel; Daniel Rock as Captain Stewart / Ludwig; Clara Lioe as Emilie; Danny Hendrix as Veterinary Officer Martin; Lucy Elizabeth Thorburn as Jenny Bone / Nurse Annie Gilbert; Chris Williams as Lieutenant Nicholls / Doctor Schweyk; Matthew Lawrence as Ensemble; Rafe Young as Ensemble; Gun Suen as Ensemble; Tea Poldervaart as Ensemble; Tommy Goodridge as Ensemble; Ross Green as Ensemble

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 40 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Loud gunshots; Depicts the horror of war; Death; Upsetting scenes; Strobe lighting; Haze

AGE GUIDELINE:

10 +