
‘When we get it right, you stop seeing us’: War Horse Gallops into the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
When War Horse debuts at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre this month, Irish audiences will witness something special: a blend of heart, craft, and puppetry. Based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel, this celebrated production is a must-see for all ages. Jennifer McShane speaks to the cast and crew who bring it to life.
The mesmerising puppetry, crafted by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, has been the hallmark of War Horse since its debut in 2007. Katie Henry, the revival director, describes the puppets as the beating heart of the production. “It’s about authenticity,” she says. “We’re not anthropomorphising the horses; they’re real animals, brought to life through exhaustive research, physicality and collaboration.”
Matthew Forbes, the lead puppetry director, adds, “The process is like choreography. Each puppeteer — there are three, one in the head, heart, and hind — works in perfect synergy to create a seamless performance. It’s as much about muscle memory as it is about emotion.”
“What’s so special about War Horse is how it invites the audience to suspend their disbelief. By focusing on the horses’ breath, movements, and even the smallest ear flick, we make Joey feel alive. There’s a moment in the play when Joey matures into his full form, and you can sense the audience holding their breath. It’s magical.”
So well done is the production, that once it starts, the puppeteers make everything seamless.
“The puppeteers all have distinct roles, but we’re connected by Joey’s breath.”
For Tea Poldervarrt, the head puppeteer for Joey, War Horse is a professional and personal homecoming. “My family is Irish — big family in Dublin,” Poldervarrt shares. “Coming back here feels like reconnecting with roots. I grew up visiting, and it’s always felt like a second home.”
Poldervarrt’s role as Joey – he plays the head, while two other puppeteers play the heart and the hind – is pivotal in bringing the story’s emotional core to life. “I saw War Horse when I was a teenager, and I’ll never forget the moment Joey ‘grew up’ on stage,” he says. “That transformation stuck with me—it’s theatre magic.”
Creating Joey’s presence on stage requires extraordinary teamwork. “The head (my role), heart, and hind puppeteers all have distinct roles, but we’re connected by Joey’s breath. It’s about giving him a personality that audiences can believe in. Even though they see us, we want them to feel the horse’s emotions.”
A first-time audience member might marvel at how the puppets, controlled visibly by actors, transform into living, breathing creatures. Poldervarrt explains, “It’s about the details — the breathing, the subtle head movements. When we get it right, you stop seeing us and only see Joey. That’s when the magic happens.”
The Singer’s Soul

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For Sally Swanson, who plays The Singer, War Horse offers a rare opportunity to combine her love of acting and music. “The music is stunning; simple folk songs with profound emotional weight,” Swanson shares. “It’s a privilege to bring them to life.”
Swanson’s connection to the story runs deep, as her family keeps horses on their farm in Scotland. “I was a ‘horse girl’ growing up, so this story about the bond between humans and animals resonates strongly. It’s universal and timeless.”
Working alongside the puppeteers has also been a unique experience for Swanson. “We’re all in awe of what they do,” she says. “It’s like an Olympic event! It’s so physical and precise, yet so emotional. The horses feel alive in a way that’s impossible to describe until you see it.”
“War Horse invites the audience to suspend their disbelief and see a puppet as a living, breathing creature.”

A Timeless Story
At its heart, War Horse is a universal story of love and resilience. Set during the First World War, it follows young Albert’s journey to reunite with his horse, Joey. Actor Tom Sturgess, who plays Albert, reflects on the timeless appeal: “It’s about connection. Albert finds his purpose through Joey, and that’s something we can all relate to — finding something or someone that makes life meaningful.”
For Sturgess, stepping into Albert’s shoes has been as physically demanding as it has been emotionally rewarding. “The first half of the show feels like a marathon. There’s hardly a moment when Albert isn’t on stage, and the physicality of working with Joey is intense,” he explains. “But that’s part of what makes the production so immersive; there’s no break from Albert’s emotional world.”
The role also carries a profound emotional weight. “The bond between Albert and Joey is so intense that it mirrors relationships many of us have with loved ones. But Albert’s world is torn apart by war, and that emotional devastation resonates deeply with audiences,” Sturgess continues.
He describes a particularly poignant moment when Albert says goodbye to Joey. “It’s heartbreaking because it reflects the loss so many experienced during the war — not just loved ones, but the entire way of life they knew. It’s a story about resilience, but it doesn’t shy away from showing the cost of that resilience.”
Ike Bennett, who plays David Taylor, agrees. “This story reminds us of the sacrifices people made — not because they wanted to, but because they had no choice. That’s what makes it so powerful. It’s about survival and the hard decisions we’re forced to make.”
The Craft of Connection
The creative team’s commitment to authenticity extends to every aspect of the production. Each detail is meticulously planned, from consulting horse trainers to experimenting with movement. “It’s not about replicating a horse,” Forbes clarifies. “It’s about evoking its spirit.”
Swanson adds that the care for performers mirrors the care for craft. “We have physios, warm-ups, and vocal training to ensure everyone is at their best. It’s a long tour, and that support makes all the difference.”
This dedication has paid off. Over the years, audiences have been captivated by War Horse’s ability to blur the lines between reality and performance. “People often forget they’re watching puppets,” Poldervarrt says with a smile. “That’s the magic of live theatre.”
“There’s something deeply human about sharing a story in a room full of people,” Henry continues. “That connection, that catharsis — it’s why theatre exists.”
War Horse runs from Wednesday, January 29, to Saturday, February 1, at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster starting at €21.50.