War Horse

a kate west review

by Michael Morpurgo

adapted by Nick Stafford

directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris

and by Bijan Sheibani (U.S. tour)

at the Ahmanson Theatre/Center Theatre Group 

135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012

running June 14 - July 29, 2012

contact  213-628-2772 or  www.centertheatregroup.org 

The innovative British production of "War Horse" finally makes it way from Broadway to the Los Angeles stage. Originally a book by Michael Morpurgo, the story was adapted for theater by Nick Stafford and brought to life by The Handspring Puppet Company. This South African troupe uses puppetry to illustrate storytelling, a more and more popular approach to modern theater (we all remember Julie Taymor's fabulous version of "The Lion King", right?)

The essential story is of a beautiful horse, Joey, born to be a hunter, but raised as a farm horse by the young Albert Narracott (Andrew Veenstra). Both are soon drafted to the army unfortunately, for the first World War (the war to end all wars), and lose each other in the ensuing chaotic madness of battle. Both endure terrible hardships and are forced to grow up faster than they wanted to, before finding each other again. 

The play seems to tell us, that yes, war is hell. Especially when a hunter learns to be a draft horse, then a war horse, then a draft horse again. The core innocence of the horse with many masters (Michael Stewart Allen as Captain Friedrich Muller is a particularly strong and poignant owner) mirrors the boy's fragile hope in finding his beloved companion once more. There is no mercy during wartime and the only thing that can keep you going is to hold on fiercely to whatever you believe in. Men, women, children and animals die during war - there is no discrimination with death. And as far as the plot goes, that is pretty much it. But a powerful message, to be sure.

Steven Spielberg jumped at the chance to show these images on the big screen and made his award-nominated film "War Horse" while the theatrical productions were still going strong. It is hard to imagine missing out on the creativity of the staging, however. Each horse is masterfully manipulated by three actors. They make the sounds and movements so very realistic, while maintaining a lovely stylized version of that truth. This must have taken a great amount of rehearsal (in fact, the Ahmanson postponed its opening in order to perfect the carefully synchronized choreography). Each animal is crafted with mechanical precision (a bit more complicated than the horses of "Equus") and delights audiences by drawing them into the personalities of the animals. We forget there are humans behind the masks. 

As a sorrowful background chorus, John Milosich sweetly sings ballads during much of the action, giving us a local flavor of Devon, England, in a time gone by. Above the village is a large torn sheet of paper where shadows, drawings and pictures flash across its screen during key moments in the play. There are explosions and (warning) gunshots too, spooking both horse and audience. A simple and poetic story, rather reminiscent of Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty", Joey the War Horse shows us the dimensions of mankind, in moments of kindness and cruelty. It's a nice story, elevated by the incredible stagecraft spectacle of the puppets. (Oh, there's a tank too). 

Worth seeing for the imagery, so don't spoil it by seeing the move first. And you might want to skip the film altogether after this. But that's up to you since ... a horse is a horse of course.

 

To read Black Beauty:
Black Beauty 

To see the movie:
War Horse Read more!

The Derby

The Kentucky Derby
"The most exciting two minutes in sports"
a kate west reflection







www.kentuckyderby.com

I spent my childhood in Louisville, Kentucky and the thing we are most proud of there, of course, is Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. Oh, and mint juleps.

My father says Kentucky is a good place to be from. He prefers the ocean. And liberalism. But as a child I loved it all, even the extreme weather, the snow days staying home from school and the humid summers that come with that cicada tsss-tsss-tsss sound. Real south, man, and yes that grass really is blue. I never got to go to the Kentucky Derby (not yet, anyway), but I've been to many horse parks and to Churchill Downs itself, off season. It is a magnificent racetrack, with those famous spires and that spotless track. I loved horses as a child (what girl didn't?) and read plenty of "Black Stallion" and every other horse book I could get my hands on. Horse racing seemed romantic to me back then. I don't really feel that way anymore, except once a year, during the Kentucky Derby.

Run the first Saturday of every May since the late 1890's, it is indeed a blink-of-an-eye two minute race, this sport of kings. For competing two to three-year olds only, it's "The Run For The Roses" and is part of the Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. Ladies wear big hats, everyone sings Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" and by God, they all drink mint juleps (recipe below). With enough money, you can sit old school style, unless you want to try the cheap seats (think bleachers) in the infield, but I'm too old to jostle with that rowdy crowd.

It's one of the few elegant sports we have left in America, often written about and filmed. It sure does provide great cinematic drama, as we hold our breaths right down to the wire (the finish line). A long line of quality horse breeding precedes the modern version, from Triple-Crown winner Secretariat to poor Barbaro (so recently put down). You don't have to be a Racing Form expert to enjoy the spectacle and whether or not you finish Win, Place or Show, it's the best horse race around.

MINT JULEP

2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water (branch water is ideal)
Fresh Mint
Crushed Ice
Premium Kentucky Bourbon (2 ounces per serving)

Make a simple mint syrup by boiling sugar and water together for 5 minutes; cool. Place in a covered container with 6 or 8 bruised mint sprigs. Refrigerate overnight. Fill a julep cup or glass with crushed ice, then add 1 tablespoon of mint syrup and 2 ounces of bourbon. (Bruise mint by placing in a cup and gently passing the back of a spoon between cup and the leaves a time or two.)Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost outside of cup or glass. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig. Keep remaining covered syrup in refrigerator sans mint leaves.

Read More About It:
The Kentucky Derby: Run for the Roses

The Mint Julep:
Kentucky Mint Julep


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Cavalia

“Cavalia”
a kate west review
created by Normand Latourelle
directed by Erick Villeneuve
under the White Big Top
corner of Colorado & Central, downtown Glendale
April/May – Extended!!! Tix $59 - $79, V.I.P. $175
Contact (866) 999-8111 or www.cavalia.net


For those of you fully entrenched in the endlessly fascinating and diverse world of the equine, the magic of “Cavalia” is a dream come true. Created by Nomand Latourelle (co-founder of the world-renowned mystical world of Cirque du Soleil) and directed by Erick Villeneuve, “Cavalia” is a show of lights, acrobats, stunning visual projections and even more beautiful horses. In fact there are thirty-three of them: Arabians, Belgians, Lusitanos, Percherons and Quarter Horses and they are all magnificently impressive, even for those of us who know nothing about horses. And the people keep up the pace pretty nicely as well.

Direct from sold-out runs in San Francisco and all over Canada, this fabulous team of Canadian artists gives the crowd their money’s worth, leaping, bounding and dancing their merry way around the arena. Composer Michel Cusson and Costume Designer Mirelle Vachon provide a new age atmosphere and stylistic costumes while the technical crew also puts on a dazzling display of effects. Scenic Artist Marc Labelle and Lighting Designer Alain Lortie create one of the most imaginative sets this side of the Mississippi by ingeniously projecting a series of incredible images on the backdrop. It really has to be seen to be believed. Jerome Boisvert also does well with Sound Effects and Choreographers Brad Denys and Alain Gauthier provide captivating tribal-like dance numbers.

Then there are the fantastic co-directors: namely, Frederic Pignon (they call him a “horse-whisperer”) and his equally talented wife, Magali Delgado. They appear throughout the production, skillfully showing off the horses’ best tricks, including bowing to the audience (always a classic). It is amazing to watch their quiet rapport with these noble beasts. Each act showcases the highly skilled. Two standout numbers include riders thundering by on Quarter Horses with an astounding display of trick riding and also twirling acrobats high on trapeze swings, interacting with the horses and riders. From beginning to end, the horsemanship is remarkable. Trainer Andre St-Jean is to be applauded as well.

Although the show drags a bit for those of us not completely obsessed with horses, it is suitably entertaining and a huge step above your average circus act. Insider tip: purchasing the V.I.P. package gets you into the V.I.P. tent where the food is plentiful and the service impeccable. And after the show you can visit the stables and see the “artists” up close (no touching allowed) and ask their human companions for autographs. Well worth paying a little extra and watching the younger fans’ delight. This truly original production has something for everyone and is definitely an enchanting evening. Read more!