Review: War Horse UK Tour, Glasgow - An outstanding piece of theatre; a true masterpiece

Lisa in the theatre
Mar 27
4 min read

The most successful play in the history of the National Theatre, War Horse, is on a major UK & Ireland tour for 2025. As the multi award-winning drama arrives at Glasgow's Theatre Royal, I am stunned by the sheer scale and spectacle of what this new tour is delivering to our regional theatres.

War Horse is a sensational piece of theatrical storytelling brought to life by a 35 strong company, dazzling projections and galloping, breathing, life-size puppets. Read my review below.

War Horse: Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, Adapted by Nick Stafford

Directed by Tom Morris with Revival Director Katie Henry

Review: Theatre Royal, Glasgow | 25 March 2025

War Horse on stage. Credit Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

War Horse UK tour review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

War Horse is the beautiful story of a young Devonshire farm boy, Albert Narracott (Tom Sturgess), and his horse, Joey* who become caught up in the horrors of World War One.

In 1912, farmer Ted Narracott (Karl Haynes) buys a young horse at auction. Not suited to their ploughing needs on the farm, the foal - soon named Joey - develops a strong bond with the farmer's son, Albert.

As the First World War breaks out across Europe, Joey is sold to the British Army and shipped over to France. At home on his parent's farm, Albert can't stop thinking about what happened to his beloved horse and sets out on a perilous journey to find him.

The National Theatre's War Horse play is not always easy to watch; it doesn't shy away from the horrors of war, the dreadful waste of young lives, both human and animal. It's gut-wrenching at times. Through incredible visual detail and some, thankfully, verbal only descriptions, the audience are left with no doubt just how horrific the conditions on the battlefields and field hospitals of the First World War were.

But as someone who has avoided both the film and stage productions of War Horse for years - as I didn't want to watch animals get hurt or die - I can honestly say that the story is told exquisitely on stage. If anything, the horses in this play are treated with a refreshing, just respect. The tragic, sad of parts of the book are overshadowed by an enduring sense of hope and the uplifting, heart-swelling beauty of Joey and Albert's friendship. It's very well judged.

Having put off seeing it for so long, I now can't wait to return. War Horse is a true theatrical masterpiece.

This new tour production of War Horse is the kind of full-scale, big-budget production that I'd only expect to see in London or on Broadway. It's epic in ambition and impact. To have such a spectacle on UK Tour and on stage in Glasgow is incredible; I'd urge you to get along to your local theatre to witness it live if you can.

Unmistakably a 'National Theatre' production, the staging and production values are first-rate. It blends a mix of visual mediums with awe-inspiring success.

The backdrop of the stage looks like it's torn all-the-way across like a page ripped from a scrapbook. This tear is filled with intricate, animated drawings and projections that take the place of traditional scenery. It's incredibly effective but doesn't detract from the live actors and puppets on the main stage floor who perform underneath, and often in synch with, the video playing above them. The synchronisation between live actors and projection is mind-blowing and it makes it seem as though there are many more soldiers and horses on stage than there are.

The many actors, large props and set pieces are all expertly choreographed with striking, fluid movements. Add in the ground-breaking puppets from South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company and the overall impact is stunning.

*Thirteen talented puppeteers play the lead horses Joey and Topthorn on rotation at different performances on tour. The strength and skill needed to manage these massive puppets is astonishing, and their precision movements bring these spectacular creatures roaring to life. Ear flicks, tail swishes and unmistakable gentle head movements ensure the horses all have discernible personalities of their own.

The large company of human actors too are impressive, and with unexpected notes of music and song, War Horse delivers more than you may expect. I don't know if I've ever seen a production where so many elements of impeccable theatre making come together so flawlessly.

War Horse is immaculate and a strong contender for the best piece of theatre I have ever seen on stage in the UK. When I think of "theatre" in future I will think of War Horse, because it's the epitome of exactly that: pure, outstanding theatre. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

War Horse is at Glasgow Theatre Royal until Saturday 5 April 2025 and then continues on tour across the UK.