The love story that is "War Horse"

If you have ever had a special bond with animals, marvelled at their ability to communicate, or cared for a pet through its life cycle, you will find the theatrical experience that is "War Horse" an exhilarating and utterly heart wrenching 150 minutes. As the house lights dim and you first meet the foal that grows into the lead war horse named Joey, you almost instantaneously believe that you are watching a living breathing animal - without realizing that you have succumb to the magic of this shows puppetry. The relationship between Joey and Albert his owner is so tender that you melt. I have often marvelled at the bond that is formed between pet and owner. The unconditional and trusting love that grows between this young lad and his horse could serve as a role model for human relationships. As I sat in the theatre watching, I could not escape the memories of horseback riding in Southampton some years ago and experiencing the relationship that developes between man and horse. The horse's keen recognition of my scent, voice and movements and the gentle response to my caress of his nose or while grooming him. The certain and specific sounds that he would make to communicate, the raising of his tail or the flick of an ear all spoke to me personally. At this time, my Lakeland Terrier - Maggie - would also run with these powerful gentle giants and loved their interaction. Maggie was convinced that all nineteen pounds of her Terrier body was just as powerful as the horse towering above her. Amazingly, the two species coexisted amicably and infact seemed to enjoy the revelry.
As the play continued and the plot unfolded, Joey was sent off to war with a heart breaking goodbye between Joey and Albert. Ultimately, Albert could not be consoled and ran away to war to find and protect Joey. The determined and unconditional love drove Albert, undaunted, to the brink of losing his own life yet to Albert Joey was his life. I sat there remembering when Maggie had grown old, then one evening she died in my arms at about 2 am. For almost an hour I could not let her out of my arms. I new at that moment I had lost my best friend, and while I new that she was better off, I could not contain the devastating sense of loss. While I was filled with gratitude for the years we had shared, I was at that moment paralysed with grief. Finally, in War Horse, Joey and Albert are reunited and the play ends with their return to England. Although they have both been scared by the war, their reunion gives them the strength to survive.
There are many layers to the play, which was based on a childrens short story, and it can touch people on many levels. It addresses the brutality of war, the pain of betrayals, the scares of dysfunctional relationships and so much more, yet "War Horse" is ultimately the story of unconditional love.