Review of Old Buckenham's 'Horse Play'

Moving story of a Norwich horse

One member of the audience who was at the Village Hall last Friday has provided this review of Horse Play which was performed at the hall that evening.

What a surprising performance this was! I don’t think the audience expected a working television screen to appear on the back of the set or for part of it to open for a horse to poke his long brown head out and then proceed to speak! The play, written by Katie-Anna Whiting and performed by her and fellow actor Florence Wright, continued to surprise as we watched their portrayal of different characters, their accents and turns of phrase as they unfolded the story of Sprowston Boy. We knew of course that Sprowie would win at Royal Ascot but we were led to his glorious achievement through an outline of man’s long relationship to the horse, into the vagaries of race course betting, including a lesson on what to look for in a good steed and how the going of the track helps or hinders the racers.

The set proved a most ingenious means of framing the action, with its TV screen, its use of press cuttings, its multiple openings and use of race track rails. The lighting and sounds were slickly co-ordinated to showcase the action on stage, a tribute to Tom, the technical controller. Katie and Florence carried the action on stage with confidence in their various roles and the appropriate language of race commentators, trainers, punters, patronising fellow jockeys, all with understated humour. Most touching of all was Katie’s portrayal of Geoff, her grandfather, a wise and kindly figure brought to life.

This was no feminist vehicle but all the more powerful for highlighting the poor treatment female riders were subjected to in a male-dominated business. Gay won her race but decades had to pass before another female proved victorious. The appeal of the tale drew much power from its closeness to our region and to the writer’s grandfather who part-owned Sprowston Boy. A proud moment for her to celebrate a remarkable man who visited his mount every day, long after his Ascot triumph.

'Horse Play' continues its tour of East Anglian venues, supported by the Arts Council and Norfolk Arts Awards. Produced by Katie-anna Whiting and with original music by Skinny Boy Tunes, directed Daniel Burgess and designed by Fern Blevins.