For as long as I can remember, I have loved the movies. Movie magic has the power to deliver practically anything one can imagine, but as we have come to expect more and more from that movie magic as blockbuster after blockbuster pushes the envelope with special effects, we have almost become desensitized to the visceral thrill the movies can bring. Go back a few decades and look at the old school effects to see what real movie magic was. The movie that inspired me to want to know how movies were made was The Poseidon Adventure, which used every practical effect in the book to make it look like a cruise ship had overturned. That was exciting to see through ten year old eyes.

The only other place that can still give you that visceral thrill of seeing something unbelievable right before your eyes is the stage. Yes, shows are incorporating more video screens to create sets and visual effects, but there’s still something thrilling about seeing the stage transform before your eyes into various sets and locations, or to watch someone defy gravity, or to see a beast change into a prince. It’s awe inspiring because you know it’s really happening and not something that was created inside a computer. The latest show to bring that wow factor to live audiences across the country is the Nation Theatre of Great Britain’s production of War Horse which is currently touring North America, with a brief stop at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre through February 9th.

War Horse tells the story of Albert Narracott (Michael Wyatt Cox) and his horse Joey. Albert’s father won Joey in a bidding war against his own brother, attempting to one-up him in what seems like a lifelong war of wills between the two men. But Arthur Narracott has not only purchased a horse, he’s blown his mortgage payment in the process, forcing his wife to call in some favors with the bank until they can make the payment. Joey grows from a foal to a magnificent beast and Arthur’s brother comes calling again to tempt him with another wager: if the spirited horse can plow a furrow, the Narracott’s keep the horse and get the money for the mortgage. If not, Arthur’s brother gets Joey for his son.

Joey wins the wager for Arthur, but church bells peal signaling Great Britain’s entry into what would become known as World War I. Seeking a way to make even more money off of Joey, Arthur sells the horse to the army right out from under his son. We then follow Joey’s journey from England to France where he falls into the hands of the Germans, as well as Albert’s attempts to track down his beloved friend in the hopes of bringing Joey back home.

The current touring production of War Horse is simply a stunning piece of theater, with brilliant lighting and sound design, a musical underscore and booming sound effects, and what looks like a large white piece of torn paper (which does have great significance) hanging over the stage with animated charcoal drawings projected on it as the show’s main “set” (bits and pieces of doors, windows and other props make their way on and off the basically empty black stage as well).

And while the cast all do outstanding jobs in their roles (some of them in multiple roles), the true stars of the show are the horses. And if you’re not aware of this yet, these are not real live horses on stage but intricate, articulated puppets created by the Handspring Puppet Company. Joey is an amazing creature made of cane, aluminum, leather and fabric and operated by several puppeteers who control everything from the ears and tail to the walking and breathing. And he can be ridden as well! Seeing these creatures on stage, giving full blown performances will almost make you forget that they’re puppets. They really are — through the actions of the puppeteers — emoting, acting, making you believe what you’re seeing is indeed real, making you laugh at the humorous moments and anxious during some of the more nightmarish moments of wartime, and bringing you to tears when some of them are injured or perish in battle.

The production has also been staged brilliantly and creatively to make the best advantage of the small space afforded by a stage. When horses are running, they can gallop around the stage but for real speed, lighting effects, the animated backdrop and the movement of the actors really make them appear to be moving fast or in slow motion. There is a brilliant moment where dead soldiers litter the stage and they all roll to the back of the stage to make it look like the horses are running toward the audience. It really is jaw-dropping and breathtaking as staged by director Bijan Shelbani.

In 2011, Steven Spielberg directed a movie version of the play but for sheer awe and amazement, nothing can beat seeing the magnificent creations of the Handspring Puppet Company and a large, talented cast and crew bring this story to life on stage before your very eyes. War Horse is currently touring North America with stops in Florida, Birmingham, Memphis, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, Nashville and other cities through June. You can find tour and ticket information at the show’s official website. If War Horse gallops into your town, don’t miss it!

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