Warhorse at Wellington

Supported by the National Theatre of China and the Tianjin Grand Theatre, Warhorse China arrived at Wellington College International Tianjin. The star of the show Joey, the Warhorse, was supported by an excellent cast of academics and performers in delivering the workshop Learning from Warhorse: schools and the stage. This thoroughly rare and unique event was supported further by Director of Arts and Creative Industries at the British Council, Mr. Nick Marchand, who addressed an audience of Wellington pupils and parents on how Warhorse travelled first from Michael Morpurgo's book to the West End stage, and later to China and the world. This excellent discussion was followed by Second Master at Wellington College International Tianjin, Mr. Julian Jeffrey, who introduced Warhorse from a historical perspective. In focusing on the role of the horse during WWI and specifically how the on-stage portrayal of the horse itself is of relevance to shaping our understanding of a shared global history, Mr. Jeffrey spoke passionately about how drama and the theatre are vital in interpreting our own past. Before Joey came to the stage, National Theatre actors Zhang Kai, Li Lianzheng and Han Shanshan worked enthusiastically with a small group of children onstage, focusing on body movement and puppetry. Following this, the actors mysteriously disappeared, only to be replaced by one of the true symbols of UK-China collaboration, Joey the Warhorse. As the horse stepped onto the stage at Wellington, the audience could barely speak, dazzled and amazed by the lifelike adaptation of one of nature's most revered animals. The School was honoured to host Warhorse at Wellington, not simply for reasons of historical and cultural significance, but more importantly for the learning and inspiration that the show ultimately offers to young children and their families. In working proactively with theatres such as the Tianjin Grand Theatre and the National Theatre of China, a wide range of subjects being studied in the Junior and Senior School at Wellington are complemented and further explored - whether it be Design and Technology focusing on on-stage technologies and puppetry, Visual Arts and Fashion focusing on crafts and costume, the Humanities focusing on the social significance of the stage, or Performance Arts across any aspect and demographic of the School, the show is more than simply a show. The workshop was part of the Wellington College International Fringe Festival - a series of events focused on innovation and diversity in learning. To learn more about other events at Wellington, please email events@wellington-tianjin.cn with "Fringe Festival" as the subject line heading. To download the speech delivered by Nick Marchand, Director of Arts and Creative Industries, British Council China.