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| Topthorn and Joey (you honestly do NOT "see" the puppeteers!) |
Well how can I best describe the Stage production of War Horse?
Overall it's a little difficult to say, because from the get-go, the puppetry that depicts a tiny foal in the centre of a darkened stage is quite, quite breath taking in it's complexity and it's accuracy, a fact that literally overshadows other more basic aspects of the production.
Visually WarHorse is a stunning example of just how good observational choreography can be; and I have a deep, deep admiration for the work of Toby Sedgwick who brought a whole set of skeletal animatronic characters to life.
The horses move and act just like the giant beasts they are pretending to be, and, for me, it is the scene where the hero stallion Joey jousts with the black stallion Topthorn on the eve of the battle in No Man's Land that really takes the breath away....this scene alone is worth the price of admission.
Unfortunately the human side of the drama, left me all a bit cold ( like it did in Spielberg's movie) and I was generally rather disappointed with the script and the acting as a whole. Which was a shame.....
Don't let this put you off however, as I suspect both Chris and I were in the minority of people that gave the play a so-so review...the rest of the audience was hooked
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| Fortnum's teapots...a gay man's heaven |
However, our trip to London was a real tonic. The weather was good, there was a real Olympic "BUZZ" in the air as we walked across Green Park to the Mall to see all of the preparations for the big event and we had a delightful lunch at Fortnum & Mason's where the scrambled eggs have been collected only from "rare" hens......!!!
We just had time for a brief shop , coffee with the tourists at Covent Garden, and got home just in time to feed the new ducklings and walk the dogs in a cold and, rainy and rather dull Trelawnyd
A nice day!
that teapot is effing ridiculous...
ReplyDeletespoken like a true straight!
ReplyDeleteYours is not the first blog where I read that these puppets were cool. If I'm ever allow to leave my house for more than three hours in a row, I totally need to see it!
ReplyDeletem.
Friends seen War Horse a month ago when it was playing in Toronto; they loved it. Nice to have a day away on occasion.
ReplyDeleteI like that tea pot. What does that say about me, Jason? (Hippo says removing his glasses and rolling up his shirtsleeves...)
ReplyDeleteThe last time i was in London, a dear friend treated Himself and me to tea at F&M's. It was absolutely lovely.
ReplyDeletein denial Hippo ?
ReplyDeleteDon't all teapots in England look like that? Except for the ceramic ones with roses, that is?
ReplyDeleteSome poor schmuck has to polish that teapot.
ReplyDeleteJane x
You were so lucky that the weather was good and I'm glad you enjoyed your outing. OK John, here is my email addy again: hedges@telkomsa.net ! Regards Jo
ReplyDeleteJason,
ReplyDeleteOh dear. Perhaps after tea at Fortnum´s I had best nip down to Selfridge´s for a frock...
When it comes to tea pots, personally I prefer the elegant simplicity of Art Deco but I suppose now you will be suggesting I buy the handbag and court shoes to go with the dress!
"I prefer the elegant simplicity of Art Deco"
ReplyDeletewhat with THOSE hips?
(oh I see you were actually talking about teapots!)
Oh, so it is Bash Hippo Day today is it?
ReplyDeleteSniff.
All I said was I liked the freakin' teapot...
Besides, Harvey Nichols do some very nice wrap around frocks that are very kind to my hips...
ReplyDeletedo all those things Hippo......its still a shite teapot
ReplyDeleteGlad you found the film left you cold. I think it was one of the worst productions I've ever seen and reminded me of the very worst of 'National Velvet' in its hamminess. Saw the documentary about the National's production and thought it looked fab. As an ex-prop maker the puppets were fascinating. Very jealous that you've been! 8 year old son wants to do the London Eye in August, not theatre so I'm doomed.....
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteIt's a shite teapot. Sorry, but I'm not dressing in drag for it! Have you seen the prices at Harvey Nicks lately?
Does Jason have a blog?
he did do.... but got threatened so much , he had to pull it
ReplyDeleteSeriously? Gosh.
ReplyDeleteI am quite jealous of your night out in London. Last time I did a show was yonks ago. Bumped into Jeremy Irons, chatted to him for ages and afterwards my better half, who I noticed had appeared a little faint, asked me if I knew who I had been talking to. Haven't a clue, I said, seems like a nice chap though and I did like his jacket...
my blog was edited by Frankie Boyle....it was very understated and contained many a mention of wrestling midgets....
ReplyDeleteI love that teapot. Have heard mixed reviews about War Horse.
ReplyDeleteGill in Canada
That does sound like a rather nice day. I have been to a funeral where I said a few words and SO need a cup of tea right now.... teabag in mug will suffice !
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a bit odd reading your less than enthusiastic report of the stage version - though your praise of the puppetry seems to be universal.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen it either on stage or the Spielberg film, the latter as I cannot bear to see the depiction of animal suffering on screen, even though we know in reality that the animals used would not be harmed - at least in American and West European films. But despite your own reservations I'd still very much like to see this in the theatre.
ray... I think ,for me, the hype regarding the drama of the play gave me the expectation of something deeper..
ReplyDeletelike I said, I suspect we were in the minority
Well, we certainly got elegance!
ReplyDeleteI've only seen those horses on an awards shoe. Would so love to see them on stage!
Yes well, here I am sitting in front of the PC with a plate of yoghurt and bananas and nuts. I am starving, having been out in the field all day mucking about with haymaking, fancied chips but couldn't be bothered to make them. Fancied ice cream but didn't have any. So ended up with this plate of 'healthy' food, but would much have preferred something 'naughty', this being magnified by the sight of that gorgeous food at F & M. Looks very pricey though!
ReplyDeleteJohn, i felt the same way about Phantom of the Opera. Heard so much hype that it couldn't live up to it. Yes, the effects were wonderful, but i thought the story line a bit thin. I did enjoy it but it wasn't as satisfying to me as Les Miz.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way about Star Wars, too, so i guess with me effects and razzle-dazzle take me only so far. A wonderful story gets me all the way home.
The puppetry in War Horse was beyond amazing. I watched a video on their construction and was in awe of the finished product.
ReplyDeleteI love the teapot! It looks expertly polished, too. Shiny but with a patina. My mum collected silver so I have polished plenty.
ReplyDeleteNow! That sort of casual dining/luncheon really appeals to me! Be pricey enough to keep the riff raff and rug rats out as well, I would hope! {wink/}
ReplyDeleteMy daughter makes puppets for the Atlanta Center for the Puppetry Arts, so I have an idea of what kind of work goes into them. Those horses are amazing.
ReplyDelete