Going to the theatre for the first time in Melbourne surpassed every expectation I had going into it. It was staged in the State Theatre which was stunning. It's one of the biggest stages in the world and the theatre itself is underground (it was basically a maze getting to our seats). It in a way reminded me of the LA Opera in its use of mirrors in the cavernous lobby. The proscenium theatre felt very 80s in design, but the seats were quite comfortable seating over 2,000 people.
The production of War Horse was magnificent, the audience was wonderfully responsive. The unique difference in this production is the horse puppets were made to be larger because the theatre is SO much more vast than other theatres the show has been performed in previously. The puppetry work, done by the Handspring Puppet Company, plays such a large part in the show; it's absolutely beautiful and moving. The puppets are different from Julie Taymor's Lion King because they are much more stylized. The puppeteers are not hidden but the horses are so creatively done, and their movement so life-like, that they don't distract whatsoever.
What struck me as the main difference in theatre etiquette between here and the States was that the audience didn't do a standing ovation during curtain call despite it being incredibly performed and having such a high production value. The same creative team used in the original production from the National Theatre in London, worked with the company here which was made it so expertly executed.
I still have NO desire to see the movie; the play is intense enough…and I should've brought a box of tissues.
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