On Saturday and Sunday last weekend Lakeside Little Theatre introduced a wonderful new innovation to local audiences – large-screen presentations of HD digital recordings of the National Theatre of Great Britain’s internationally acclaimed production of “’War Horse.”
A very appropriate choice on the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I, ‘War Horse” is based on a novel by former British Children’s Laureate [2003-2005] Michael Morpurgo. Adapted by Nick Stafford, it was directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris and presented in association with Handspring Puppet Company of South Africa [2007–2009].
The life-sized horse-puppets, made by Handspring, are extraordinarily realistic throughout as the storyline follows Albert, a young Devonshire farmhand, who enlists in one of the most horrendous wars in history in pursuit of his beloved horse, Joey, who had been requisitioned by the army.
Still showing in London and touring extensively around the world since it opened in 2007, this exceptional production has won many international awards, including five Tonys – Best Play, Best Sound, Best Scenic, Best Lighting and Best Direction with a Special Tony awarded to Handspring Puppet Company.
A DVD-recording spin-off of the National Theatre’s Live Digital Satellite Broadcasts, this is hopefully the first of many more such digital performances at LLT. Certainly, this interpretation of “War Horse” proved a superb introduction to the concept for local audiences.
During his humorous welcome address, LLT President Peter Luciano pointed out that, like LLT, the National Theatre was also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Introducing the production, he jokingly mentioned that the sound might be somewhat difficult for the audience to follow as the accents were English in the first half and the second half included French and German, but not to worry, we’d all understand it.
In fact, I found the sound to be very distorted and struggled hard, but not entirely successfully, to comprehend the Devonshire dialect – with which I am extremely familiar.
Exacerbating the lack of clarity was the volume, that was far too loud for comfort. This may be due to the perennial problem of LLT’s sound engineers’ inability to physically monitor the actual audio-level within the auditorium itself, per theatre convention, in order to accurately adjust it.
It was suggested that the excessive volume was designed to assist those with less than perfect hearing. If so, perhaps consideration should be given to the very real damage such loud sounds can cause to “normal” hearing, particularly after some two and a half hours’ exposure.
Luciano also reported that LLT members had worked hard over the summer, updating and maintaining the buildings and equipment and the results of their more cosmetic efforts were immediately obvious. The new color scheme in the auditorium and above the proscenium arch was particularly attractive, while Dave
Hutchinson’s construction of the enormous screen was exceptionally skilled.
He added that the major capital project – installation of solar panels to provide the large quantities of electricity consumed by this well-equipped theater – is now complete.
Luciano said that to cover the expenditure – in addition to the Season’s six plays covered by the Season ticket price – there will be one additional fundraising production, “The Last Romance” by New Jersey playwright Joe DiPietro, directed by Ann Swiston, running Friday August 29 through to Sunday September 7. Tickets are 200 pesos from the box office, or phone 766-0954 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..