Puppeteers, genius and a warhorse named Joey

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The Teatro at Monte Casino recently gave curious onlookers a sneak peak of their up and coming theatrical masterpiece, Warhorse, which will be staged at the theatre in October.

The production is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Morpurgo and revolves around Joey and his young handler, Albert.

Although Joey eerily displays very normal horse characteristics, he is in fact, not a real horse – but rather a puppet created by the Handspring Puppet Company.

Via complex rigging and pulley systems, three puppeteers bring Joey to life in what TIME Magazine has labelled as ‘A landmark theatre event’.

Artistic director at the Handspring Puppet Company, Andrew Kohler, explained that building puppets like Joey, takes months of painstaking artistry and that the puppeteers constantly study equestrian behaviour in order to perfect their art.

“The puppets are made from cane, leather and tyvec, while the torso is reinforced with aluminium so that it is able to carry a rider,” said Kohler.

Rae Smith, production designer for Warhorse, feels that the horses are so beautifully designed that one cannot help but connect with them on an emotional level. “Your imagination tells you that it’s a horse, even though it’s a cane structure,” said Smith. “I think that’s partly why the play is so beautiful and successful. It allows those feelings to occur within the audience – whatever grief an individual or nation may be feeling.”

Details: Warhorse South Africa www.warhorsesa.co.za