An insight into the making of the production of War Horse, exploring how Michael Morpugo’s novel was brought from page to stage. Including a synopsis, interviews with members of the creative team and performers, articles about the historical context of the production and lesson plans.

Learning outcomes

This education resource will support students to understand the process of adapting a novel and taking it from page to stage. It includes detailed schemes of work for Year 6 literacy and key stage 3 English.

Olivier Theatre, 2007 & 2008, West End 2009, Broadway 2011, US tour 2012.

War Horse, based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo; adapted by Nick Stafford; directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris; design and drawings by Rae Smith; puppet design and fabrication by Basil Jones, Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company; lighting design by Paule Constable; director of movement and horse choreography by Toby Sedgwick; puppetry direction by 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 design by Christopher Shutt.

Photo © Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

Suitability

Suitable for 10+/KS2+

Content warning

References to war and death

Michael Morpurgo, Marianne Elliott, puppetry, World War 1, Paule Constable, Rae Smith