On Monday 20 June, the buzz of excitement rippled throughout the coach as we set off on the long awaited trip to see the play War Horse in London. When we were getting ready, everyone was extremely hyper and excited, because we were about to experience something new. We had to get the clothes just right, not too casual but not overdressed.
The play is about a horse called Joey and his relationship with a boy called Albert. One day Joey gets sent to war but Albert is too young to join up. We follow Albert's dangerous journey through the battlefields of World War One in his search to be reunited with Joey.
Joey as a foal was portrayed as really shy and timid because he was rather small. We became attached to this character. When he transformed into an adult horse it really scared us; you could see how big he had become, with a larger build and more muscles. This meant it was possible for people to ride him.
We were impressed by how much the puppeteers had observed the horses' movements, and how realistic they were. After a while you stopped seeing the puppeteers and only saw the horses. The fact that the actors could actually ride the horses was great. The puppeteers blended with the colours of the horses and the sounds were realistic. The slow motion of the horses was so effective. Also the puppeteers were good at showing feeling through the horses.
Throughout the performance, tears streamed down our faces because of the dramatic storyline, but the scene with the goose brought us back to our jolly selves. The goose was trying to get inside the house, but every time, the door slammed shut in its face! The goose had his own personality which made it very entertaining and it made the audience shake with laughter. Also he was very realistic. He was definitely on our list for best character, and he even had his own bow at the end!
Although the guns were frightening, they sounded and looked realistic. The lights in the gun were bright and powerful. The first time they were used, the sound and light frightened nearly everyone, especially as we didn't expect it.
Before we knew it, it was time for the interval. We all suddenly turned to the person next to us and exploded with our views of the first half of the play. We then sprung from our seats and rushed to the ice cream stall, pouncing like wild tigers with purses1
The ending was extremely poignant. Many of us cried to see one of the main horses, Topthorn, fall to the ground. The actors made it very lifelike and realistic, and they delivered their lines with great expression. We were all overjoyed to see Joey be reunited with his beloved Albert at the end. It was a fantastic experience which will not be forgotten.
By Ms Puranik's Year 7 English Class