Since seeing this last year, and since being a little disappointed in the recent film version, I've been trying to convince Mr Norfolkbookworm that he should see this play.
It didn't take a lot of work and so this past weekend we went down to the 'Big Smoke' in order to see some theatre together.
It was a lovely weekend and despite the dreadful forecast we had lovely weather and a great time.
It was nice to also see and evening performance of a play, I don't think that there is any particular difference in a matinee but if certainly felt more of a treat to be seeing a play in London at night! It certainly didn't make any difference in the behaviour of the audience - how can so many people be so incapable of sitting through an act of a play? I can understand the children needing to leave but the adults?
Anyhow none of the audience fidgets spoilt the play for me, and neither did it matter that this was a repeat viewing. From start to finish I was captivated and immersed in the story. I think that this time it took even less time for me to see the horses on stage as real animals rather than puppets if I am honest!
War is a brutal thing and this play shows this, but it also brings out the best (and worst) in people and again that is shown fully. An adaptation of a book written for children played on stage with puppets shouldn't be that emotional but all credit to everyone it really is. I was sniffling by the end that is for sure.
Last time I saw the play I was sitting in what they class as restricted view seats as you lose a little of the view at the edge of the stage, this time we were pretty much dead centre of the stalls, I discovered that we hadn't lost much of the action last time. I also discovered that these seats right at the front but at the side did in fact make the play a little more immediate - when the horses gallop across the stage it is impressive from the centre but at the side you do think the horse is going to run you down!
This was certainly a play that stood up to repeat viewing, but unlike one person that I overheard I don't think I'll be going to see it 11 times!
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