Friday 11 April 2014

WAR HORSE

I haven't seen the film 'War Horse'.  Of course I haven't seen it.  I love horses, and I am still traumatized from having read 'Black Beauty' when I was c. seven years old.  And even though this is 30+ years ago, these things stay with you.  I really don't think I could face watching the film 'War Horse'.  The trauma.  The upset.



Both the film and the play are based on the book by Michael MORPURGO (an acclaimed children's writer).  'War Horse' was a best-selling novel in 1982. The 2011 film adaptation was directed by Steven SPIELBURG.  I know that Benedict CUMBERBATCH is in the film, and Tom HIDDLESTON and that knowledge does make it rather tempting, but emotionally, I still don't think that I am ready.  I know that I'm not.




But, I have to say that the stage play looked amazing. 




The stage production has met with much critical acclaim and received much attention due to the amazing and innovative 'horse choreography' i.e. the use of 'life-sized' horse puppets.  The stage production has been in the West End since 2009.  It has been on Broadway, and has toured the UK, US, Canada and Australia; and has won a host of awards.





The stage adaptation from the National Theatre on the South Bank was being broadcast live into cinemas, so after much deliberation, I thought that I would like to go and see it.  My lovely brother kindly got me two tickets.




I was in Mrs. PHILLIPS class when I read 'Black Beauty' (my first year of Junior School, c.7 years old), so I thought I would ask May (I am allowed to call her May now) if she would like to accompany me to watch 'War Horse' (and seeing how it was her husband who had taken me to the Cinema to see 'The Railway Man' see previous CINEMA BLOG) I thought that May deserved a treat and a night out with me!).


So we (May and I) went to the Odeon - Freemans Common, in Leicester to see 'War Horse Live' - a broadcast direct from The National Theatre, in London. Firstly what a fantastic idea.  To broadcast live The National Theatre’s internationally acclaimed production of 'War Horse' into cinemas around the world.  To be able go to the cinema to see a live show.  To enjoy a live theatre experience in the comfort of your local cinema.



It really did feel like you were watching a live production, I mean you are, but it doesn't seem, or at least I didn't think, that the live performance lost anything by being shown on screen.  We even had ice-cream in the interval at half time.   It was ACE.  I did really enjoy it.


They are broadcasting 'The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night Time' on 22.05.14; the adaptation of Mark HADDON's best-selling novel - so hopefully I am going to go and see that too.  I wished I'd have known about the 'Coriolanus' broadcast on 30.01.14, with Tom HIDDLESTON and National Theatre Live’s broadcast of 'Frankenstein', directed by Danny BOYLE, with Benedict CUMBERBATCH and Jonny Lee MILLER, on 30.10.13. 



If you are interested in more Information regarding National Theatre Live it is available on the website: http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions  I wholly recommend it.  Give it a go.

10 comments:

  1. War Horse is basically a variation of the same story as Black Beauty. I did enjoy the film though. X

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    1. The Stage Play still made me shed a tear, but I'm not a big tough Geordie x

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  2. Good stuff HGB. I'll chaffeur (!) for the Curious Incident if you aren't already sorted .....

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  3. Yes the film had me in tears! Animals and children gets me every time........

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    1. You are brave watching the film - braver than me!

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  4. Oooh, I've been IN an NT Live broadcast and let me tell you it was an amazing night - three massive great HD cameras in the auditorium beaming our show out to thousands of unseen and unheard but 'present' people. You couldn't help but be aware of them.

    Lovely blog, know what you mean about the film, I actually recoil at the emotional manipulation but then again, it can be effective - The Railway Children springs to mind... x

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    1. Golly that does sound exciting!

      I hadn't thought of it as emotional manipulation, but that is a great expression.

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  5. The Curious Incident... is also a great play!

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    1. It is already sold out at Phoenix Square so I'm hoping it is on at Freeman's Common. I really enjoyed the 'National Theatre Live' Experience x

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