War Horse
The most moving and spectacular play in London
Sunday Express
Why see War Horse?
must end march 12th 2016!
The National Theatre's worldwide hit play is based on the celebrated novel by the Children's Laureate (2003-05) Michael Morpurgo. Actors work and interact with magnificent, life-sized animal puppets, created by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company. These remarkable creations are moulded out of steel, leather and even aircraft cables, and are operated by three people, one each controlling the head, front legs and hind quarters. The horse's naturalistic movements were devised by choreographer Toby Sedgwick, which won him the 2008 Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreography.
Since its premiere in 2007, War Horse has been seen by an estimated five million people across the globe. In 2011, it was adapted into a feature film by Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jeremy Irvine, generating a new wave of interest in the play.
What is War Horse About?
At the outbreak of World War One, young Albert's beloved horse Joey is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. Caught up in enemy fire, fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving both British and German soldiers, and experiences peace on a French farm, before finding himself stranded in No Man's Land. Meanwhile, at home in England, Albert cannot forget Joey, and so illegally enlists in the army, embarking on a dangerous mission to France to bring him back home.
Key Information
Audience
War Horse is suitable for 10 year olds and above.
Run Time
Two hours and 40 minutes including a 15-minute intermission
Dates
Finished 1 Jan 2009
Cast
James Backway as Albert Narracot
Ken Bradshaw
Alasdair Craig
Harry De Moraville
Nick Figgis
Patrick Fleming
Keiran Flynn
Alan Francis
Colm Gormley
Dominic Hodson
Ian Houghton
Mark Jackson
Simon Jenkins
Kate Marlais
Tony McGeever
Jayne Mckenna
Chris Milford
Adam Henderson Scott
Alisdair Simpson
Simon Wolfe
Creative
Based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo
Adapted by Nick Stafford
In association with Handspring Puppet Company
Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris
Designer/Drawings - Rae Smith
Puppet Design and Fabrication - Basil Jones & Adrian Kohler
Lighting Design by Paule Constable
Director of Movement and Horse Choreography - Toby Sedgwick
Puppetry Directors - Basil Jones & Adrian Kohler
Video Design by Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer for Fifty-Nine Productions Ltd
Music by Adrian Sutton
Songmaker - John Tams
Sound Designer - Christopher Shutt
Puppetry Consultant - Mervyn Millar
Associate Director - Alex Sims
Associate Puppetry Director - Finn Caldwell
Resident Director - Kathryn Ind
Puppetry Associate - Toby Olie
Movement & Horse Choreography Assistant - Robin Guiver
Music Director - Martin Lowe
Casting by Lucy Jenkins CDG & Sooki McShane CDG
Original Casting by Alastair Coomer CDG
Company Voice & Dialect Work - Jacquie Crago
Fight Director - Kate Waters
German and French Language Coach - Simon Scardifield
Production Photographer - Simon Annand
Awards
OLIVIER 2010 Nominations
Audience Award
OLIVIER AWARDS 2008
Best Theatre Choreographer (Toby Sedgwick)
Best Set Design (Rae Smith and Handspring Puppet Company at the National Theatre Olivier)
Nominations
Best Play
Best Director
Best lighting design
Best sound design
Reviews
Our review
Uplifting, Emotional, Extraordinary
War Horse is an absolute triumph that anyone with even the remotest interest in theatre should see....
Scarlet Fleetwood
Customer reviews
42 reviews, average rating: (4.7 Stars)
Roy
Wonderful story. Production let it down
Really enjoyed the theatrics of Warhorse. Very moving and well acted.
But…
The sound was poor
The lighting was often Warhorse-cued and dark patches when there shouldn’t have been
Actors forgot key lines - should have said Heads! when tossing up for Joey with the German soldier
Stifling heat in the auditorium
Extremely cramped toilets both ladies and gents
Expensive drinks in the bar
... Read more
Shona Howie
An Emotive roller coaster. A Must See!
After reading the book and watching the film it blew
my mind, every twist and turn was both surprising
and emotional. The puppets make it come alive and
the energy put into it is amazing, I myself am only
15 years old and I was in peaces by the end of the
first act, words cannot describe it's magnificence
it truly has to be seen to be believed. This show
will blow your mind and will change your view of
theater forever. ... Read more
Wendy
Outstanding!
Everything about this show is amazing... the acting,
the lighting, the music and, of course, the horses.
I had to keep reminding myself that they aren't
mechanical, that there are actual people controlling
them and making them seem so life-like!
Highly recommended and not just for horse/animal
lovers - it's a really interesting portrayal of the
war and how it affected people on all sides. ... Read more
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