By L. Russell and J. RingwoodYear 12 English Literature studentsOn the 24th September Year 12 English students had the privilege of taking a trip to London to watch the outstanding production of Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Warhorse’.The children’s novel had been adapted for the West End. It tells the story of a particular horse and its owner and their personal experience of World War One. Joey the horse first enters a young boy’s life when the boy’s father bids in an auction to spite his brother, his long term enemy. The horse and boy grow together and develop a unique friendship which is heart wrenchingly torn apart the day his father sells the horse to the army. Not only does the play present the extraordinary emotional ties between the boy and horse, the difficult relationship between boy and father is also explored. The powerful storyline is brilliantly brought to life by the puppetry used. Bamboo frames have been designed to replicate the horses. For Imberhorne students, it was an emotional experience, moving each and every one of us; however gentle humour was added such as the skittering goose that darted across the stage with puppeteer in tow; of course this kept everyone entertained and provided some relief from the harrowing subject matter.The magic remains throughout the whole of the performance, Joey the horse grows into a warhorse in the killing fields in France accompanied by the magnificent black stallion Topthorn. The spectacular representation of war amazed the audience as the ingenious theatrical devices brought the events to life. Beautiful and poignant songs accompanied the production which added to the powerful evocation of the time period. Terrifying, yet convincing incursions of the artillery that was used in the war added to what is one of the best West End shows Imberhorne students have ever seen. A heart-stopping moment when Joey is entangled in the barbed wire showed just how emotionally powerful the show was.The final reunion of the boy, Albert, and Joey the horse, provided a pleasingly sentimental and emotional ending to what was an unbelievably exceptional performance enjoyed by all of us!