Rafe Young is currently among a small group of puppeteers bringing beauty to the stage at Milton Keyns Theatre in War Horse, which wowed the audience at last night's opennig performance.
It really is one of the must stunning deliveries in theatre-land, but what's Rafe's theatrical history? And just what is it like being part of a show that gallops across hearts, night after night?
He talked with Total MK...
Tell us about your first memory of the theatre
Going to see Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for my 10th birthday when Philip Schofield was playing Joseph.
That was my first show in London.
And the moment when you realised the theatre was your calling?
When I was in year 2 I played Prince Charming in Cinderella for the junior school show. I was given the part by default because the teacher asked who would like the part of Prince Charming by show of hands and I was the only one to put my hand up.
After that show I decided I wanted to be an actor and stuck with it.
Any dreadful calamities, or funny happenings on stage that you would care to share with us?
I once was in a farce where I had to run into a room and hide from another character but the door stuck so I pulled harder. I then pulled the door handle off and panicked so hid behind a drink cabinet for the rest of the scene. It actually worked in the spirit of the play.
Do you have any superstitions, or pre-performance routines?
Not as such but on this show I do make sure I am properly warmed up before getting in horse.
The best piece of advice given to you when you started in the business
Be strong and don't give up.
What do you think has been your steepest learning curve
The horses in War Horse. It's a really technically daunting task, learning to bring these horses to life. The commitment and focus it takes during rehearsals is like nothing else I've done before.
Also being put it in a team of three with people you don't know and learning how to read each other using breath, instinct and push/pull is another level.
How do you fill your spare time while on tour
I love exploring where we are, going for walks, finding cold water swimming spots and getting outdoors. And going for brunch with cast mates (there are a lot of brunches on this tour)!
Nerves or excitement? Which takes over just before the curtain rises?
Excitement. For sure. Every show is different and that means that no one has ever seen the specific performance that is about to take place. So for each audience, regardless of if they've seen the show before or not, they've never seen what we're about to share with them.
And they may not realise it but they are a part of it so we are experiencing that audience for the first time and they are a part of the performance. Also being on stage for 2 hours with people you love doing something you all love is really special.
Tell us a little about the role in War Horse - operating as a puppeteer is something you've done previously, but how different is the process when compared to a 'traditional' role?
As a puppeteer on War Horse we have to learn all things horse; movements, attitudes, reactions, fears, needs, sounds, breath, how the skin reacts in certain areas to touch, how the ears move and what they mean, what different sounds mean.
The list goes on and we are still even finding new things now. We need to replicate everything in a puppet and give it truth. This is a really big task and we also have to do it all in a team of three. So not only are we trying to react in real time believably but as a three, all together.
There is a huge amount of listening acoustically as well as physically and mentally. This is not similar to a 'traditional' role in any way as you really need to become one brain and there is no room for ego or self indulgence. We become a very strong team inside and outside of the show. I can tell what my head puppeteer is going to do at the twitch of a foot and what my hind puppeteer is going to do at the flex of a shoulder. It's really special.
What makes War Horse so special - why should people come to see it in Milton Keynes?
It is a show that gives you everything you need from live theatre. The lighting is spectacular and so clever, the soundscape is beautiful and it's all accompanied by incredible visuals.
The themes are really touching and there is humour, love, friendship and comradery flowing throughout. The team effort involved in this production is huge. From stage management, sound, lighting, puppets, tech departments, wardrobe, actors. And the effect created on stage is pure theatre magic. Our whole company share something with each audience every night and it really should be seen to share in that.
War Horse continues at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday, April 26 - book your ticket: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/war-horse/milton-keynes-theatre
