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War Horse gallops onto Centerstage screen

South African Handspring Puppet Company brings Michael Morpurgo novel to life


Albert Narracott rides upon his beloved Joey in Handspring Puppet Company’s War Horse production.
Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live
Albert Narracott rides upon his beloved Joey in Handspring Puppet Company’s War Horse production.
War Horse has played in more than 30 countries.
Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live
War Horse has played in more than 30 countries.

UCC’s theater department in conjunction with London’s National Theater will broadcast the long running Handspring Puppet Company’s production of War Horse Feb. 27 through March 2 on the screen in the Centerstage theater located in the Whipple Fine Arts building.

The Handspring Puppet Company was founded in 1981 and owes its roots to a long history of puppetry in African and European countries. The puppets used in War Horse are not of the cartoonish sort. In all Handspring productions the puppets more resemble feats of engineering using cane, twine, cable, plywood and nylon to create the characters. The puppeteers of The Handspring Puppet Company seek to emulate the characters movements that they are portraying in the most realistic sense.

Stephanie Newman, theater arts director at UCC, is enthusiastic about presenting this type of play.

“What makes War Horse unique is that it shows the mastery of the puppeteers and how disciplined artists can be with this type of storytelling,” said Newman

War Horse replaces actual set pieces to represent the locations, instead using lighting and graphic design to emulate the scenery. Combining this design esthetic with the skeletal aspects of the puppets gives War Horse a distinctive style according to Newman.

“This type of play also bridges the gap between audience viewer and the stage because we are able to use our imagination to match the production’s creativity. This creates a unique interactive narrative,” said Newman.

The puppets in War Horse are engineered to emulate realistic movements.
Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live
The puppets in War Horse are engineered to emulate realistic movements.

Debuting in London in 2007, War Horse has played in more than 30 countries. In 2001, War Horse on Broadway won five Tony awards including Best Play.

War Horse is based on the 1982 children’s novel by British author Michael Morpurgo. The story is set near the beginning of World War I and follows the life of Joey (War Horse) and his young owner Albert. After Joey is sold to the British Calvary, Albert, who was too young to enlist in the war, goes on a journey to find his animal companion across the war torn battlefields of France.

War Horse will be broadcast in the Centerstage Theater in the Whipple Fine Arts on Friday, Feb 28 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 2, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for students and anyone under 18, $12 for adults and $10 for seniors. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at tickets.umpqua.edu.