We love the National Theatre Live events at Cineworld Bedford – great theatre, ballet and opera streamed live to your local cinema is the kind of magic that should always be celebrated. We sent Joel Court, a film studies student at Bedford College and aspiring film critic to get the lowdown on the NT LIVE performance of Warhorse. Here’s his thoughts on the evening:
Last Thursday, a multi-award-winning play came to Bedford. Well, sort of. While the play that has now been seen by over 5 million people stayed firmly back in its home of the National Theatre in London, for the first time, the play was broadcast live to over a thousand cinemas across the United Kingdom, giving Bedfordians the chance to experience this extraordinary phenomenon from the comfort of the Aspects Cineworld. And for a fraction of the price.
There is little to be said of War Horse that has not already been said by far more eloquent critics than myself. From the first moment that a colt trembles onto the stage, War Horse manages to delight, enthral and inspire the audience like nothing else I have ever seen. Set in the hell of the First World War, now being commemorated a century later, there is still humour, enough to prevent the audience sinking into complete despair, while still making sure that the horror and universal suffering remains burned in the mind of the beholder. The play is as uplifting as it is truly heart-breaking. None of the power of the performance is lost, despite the distance. The acting and story are still as immersive and spectacular as ever, and despite the occasional shots of the audience at the end and interval, it is easy to forget that you’re in a cinema rather than actually there. In addition to marking the centenary of the start of the Great War, the stage production of War Horse also has a rather personal link with Bedford. Actor Jeremy Irvine was a drama student at Bedford Modern School, and became recognised for his talent as an actor whilst portraying Albert Narracott in the production, a role which has now been taken up by Siôn Daniel Young.
The screening was organised to give viewers a more theatrical experience, with free programmes, early door openings, promotions of upcoming NT productions, and a twenty minute interval complete with ice cream vendors. Still, nothing made it feel more like a real west end performance than the overcrowded loos in the interval. Seriously though, Cineworld has offered Bedfordians an opportunity to witness a singularly beautiful piece of storytelling at the fraction of the price, and without the distance. At two hours and 45 minutes, it is more than worth every minute.
Joel is a small-time film blogger and fan, aspiring one day to make movies,though for the time being, more than happy to write about them! Currently a Bedford film student and freelancer, in between blogging away.
There is still time to see the Encore performances of War Horse. There are shows on at Bedford Cineworld TONIGHT – 13th March, Tuesday 18th March and Saturday 22nd March. For more info, have a look at the Cineworld website – and look out for more NT live showings in The Listings in The Clanger.
