AUDIENCES at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre have been cheering as the National Theatre’s War Horse thundered back to town, writes our theatre critic Kerry Black.

Based on Michael Morpurgo’s famous novel, War Horse tells the little known story of the role horses played in World War I, through the tale of Joey, a horse who is sold to the army and his young owner Albert Narracott (Thomas Dennis) who will do anything to save him. It would obviously be impractical to use real horses in a stage show, so the National Theatre turned to the incredible Handspring Puppet Company of South Africa, to bring the life sized horses, whinnying and galloping to the stage.

The magic lies in the fact that although we can see the puppeteers working inside them, we actually forget they are there, so dynamic is the performance.

With very simple staging and minimal props, a huge cloud hangs over the stage, onto which pencil drawings of the war are projected to help tell the story and provide a time line. The lighting, set design, music and sound effects are amazing, bringing us every thing from the fields of England to an advancing tank, in varying hues of sepia. The only colour in the entire show occurs when the screen floods with blood and red poppies.

Music also features strongly throughout the production, which is narrated by a solo accordionist, Bob Fox, the Song Man.

War Horse had a very personal impact on me as my great-grandfather plus two of his brothers were all killed in France in World War I. Having previously read the book and seen Spielberg’s film, I already knew the story, however nothing can prepare you for the impact of this outstanding theatrical experience. It’s exciting, it’s dramatic, it’s tragic yet has some very funny moments too.

War Horse proves the futility of war, when even a century later we are still condemning armies to death on foreign lands. The calvary and swordsmen may have been consigned to the sketch books of history but the slaughter still continues.

I have previously seen large scale puppets in shows, but I have never, ever seen puppets working hand in hoof with actors to imbue the entire production with such emotional power. Top marks to the versatile cast many of whom played several roles.

When War Horse last toured to Edinburgh in 2014, to commemorate the centenary of the start of World War I, every single performance was sold out. The latest tour marks the centenary of the end of the war and so far advance sales have been phenomenal. War Horse holds the record as The National Theatre’s most successful show ever – in fact over 7 million people have seen it to date. Saddle up and see why by booking on 0131 529 6000 or online at capitaltheatres.com.

War Horse runs in the Festival Theatre from Wednesday 18th April to Saturday 12th May.