War Horse
Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford
In association with Handspring Puppet Company
A co-production with Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel, and Playing Field.
Booking and details
The global phenomenon returns
Our acclaimed production returns in an all-new UK tour. War Horse is an unforgettable theatrical experience which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France, in a remarkable story of courage, loyalty and friendship.
Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized horses by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage.
At the outbreak of World War I, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in No Man’s Land. Albert, who remained on his parents’ Devon farm, cannot forget Joey. Though still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find Joey and bring him home.
Galleries
Production images
Rehearsal images
Reviews
‘An entertainment phenomenon’
Daily Telegraph
‘Be sure not to miss this stunning show’
The Times
‘An extraordinary piece of theatre, absolutely guaranteed to move the heart’
Sunday Express
‘A triumph of theatricality’
The Observer
‘A landmark theatre event’
Time Magazine
‘Theatrical magic’
The New York Times
Video
Suitability
Age recommendation: 10+
This production contains loud sound effects, flashing lights and strobe lighting.
Supporters
War Horse on tour is supported by Charles Stanley, the National Theatre’s Partner for Financial Wellbeing.
Cast
Rianna Ash
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour and original UK and international tours) and Hamlet
Alexander Ballinger
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour) and The Lehman Trilogy (also West End)
Eloise Beaumont-Wood
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Ike Bennett
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Haydn Burke
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Sophie Cartman
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour) and Manor
Jo Castleton
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour); and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (also in the West End)
Owen Dagnall
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Alexandra Donnachie
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Felicity Donnelly
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Tom Gilbey
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour and 2018 tour)
Thomas Goodridge
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour), The Man of Mode, Much Ado About Nothing, Caroline, or Change and War Horse (original production)
Karl Haynes
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Robin Hayward
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Michael Larcombe
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Matthew Lawrence
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Madeleine Leslay
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Jack Lord
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Damian Lynch
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Lewis McBean
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Chris Milford
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour and New London Theatre run)
Jordan Paris
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Anne-Marie Piazza
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour) and My Brilliant Friend
Tea Poldervaart
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Gareth Radcliffe
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour and 2019 UK and international tour)
Daniel Rock
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Diany Samba-Bandza
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Alistair So
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Simon Stanhope
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Tom Sturgess
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Gun Suen
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Sally Swanson
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Lucy Thorburn
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour) and Jekyll and Hyde on schools tour
Chris Williams
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour) and Small Island
Rafe Young
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour)
Cast confirmed up to June 2025
2024-25 Tour Artistic team
Author
Adapter
Nick Stafford
Nick Stafford
For the National Theatre War Horse, Battle Royal and The Chain Play (contributor)
Director
Tom Morris
Tom Morris
For the National: Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, War Horse, A Matter of Life and Death, Coram Boy
Revival Director
Katie Henry
Katie Henry
For the National Theatre: War Horse Tour (2024/25), International Tour and 10th Anniversary UK & Ireland Tour.
Designer / Drawings
Rae Smith
Rae Smith
For the National Theatre: The Importance of Being Earnest, Paradise, Translations, Macbeth, Barber Shop Chronicles (on tour, at BAM and the Roundhouse), wonder.land, The Light Princess, War Horse (original production and 2024 tour), Theatre of Blood and This House (on UK tour and at Garrick)
Puppet Design and Fabrication
Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company
Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company
Lighting Designer
Rob Casey
Rob Casey
Rob Casey is the co-founder of Ammonite, a company specialising in the technical development and support of a diverse range of live entertainment.
Director of Movement and Horse Choreography
Puppetry Director
Matthew Forbes
Matthew Forbes
For the National Theatre: War Horse on UK and Ireland tour
Animation and Projection Design
Nicol Scott for 59
Nicol Scott for 59
Work at the National Theatre includes Oslo.
Animation and Projection Design
Music
Adrian Sutton
Adrian Sutton
For the National Theatre: War Horse, Coram Boy, Angels in America and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Songmaker
John Tams
John Tams
For the National Theatre: includes War Horse, The Mysteries, Lark Rise to Candleford and Glengarry Glen Ross.
Sound Designer
Christopher Shutt
Christopher Shutt
For the National Theatre: Mnemonic (2024), a co-production with Complicité, London Tide, The Crucible (West End), Much Ado About Nothing, The Corn is Green, Paradise, Hansard, Antony and Cleopatra, Top Girls, Julie, John, Twelfth Night, Man and Superman, Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and War Horse (also West End and Broadway and on tour)
Casting Director
Jill Green CDG
Jill Green CDG
For the National Theatre: War Horse at the New London and 2015–2025 tours;
Casting Associates
Olivia Laydon
Olivia Laydon
Casting Associates
Tom Shiels
Tom Shiels
Associate Designer
Associate Costume Designer
Johanna Coe
Johanna Coe
Associate Lighting Designer
Music Associate
Matthew Gough
Matthew Gough
Associate Sound Designer
Resident Director
Anna Marshall
Anna Marshall
Assistant Puppetry Director
Lewis Howard
Lewis Howard
Lewis Howard trained at Birmingham School of Acting (now Birmingham Conservatoire).
Props Supervisor
Charlotte King
Charlotte King
For the National Theatre: Blues for an Alabama Sky, All of Us, War Horse, Lehman Trilogy and Peter Pan.
Associate Props Supervisor
Alberto Achar
Alberto Achar
Costume Supervisor
Sarah Holmes
Sarah Holmes
Assistant Costume Supervisor
Aimee Carter
Aimee Carter
Assistant Lighting Designer
Charly Dunford
Charly Dunford
Assistant Sound Designer
Raffaela Pancucci
Raffaela Pancucci
For the National Theatre: War Horse on tour 2024/25, Jekyll and Hyde (schools tour) and Death of England: Closing Time.
Musical Director
Dom Coyote
Dom Coyote
For the National: War Horse on tour 2024/25, Hamlet and The Story Fishers.
Voice Coach
Dialect Coach
Fight Director
Paul Benzing
Paul Benzing
For the National Theatre, War Horse on tour 2024/25, Hedda Gabler, Amadeus and Young Chekhov Season
Dramatherapist
Samantha Adams
Samantha Adams
For the National Theatre: War Horse (2024 tour), The Hot Wing King, Mnemonic (2024), a co-production with Complicité, Othello and Trouble in Mind
Sustainability Consultant
Nico Conde
Nico Conde
Original Artistic team
Author
Adapter
Nick Stafford
Nick Stafford
For the National Theatre War Horse, Battle Royal and The Chain Play (contributor)
Director
Tom Morris
Tom Morris
For the National: Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, War Horse, A Matter of Life and Death, Coram Boy
Director
Marianne Elliott
Marianne Elliott
Designer / Drawings
Rae Smith
Rae Smith
For the National Theatre: The Importance of Being Earnest, Paradise, Translations, Macbeth, Barber Shop Chronicles (on tour, at BAM and the Roundhouse), wonder.land, The Light Princess, War Horse (original production and 2024 tour), Theatre of Blood and This House (on UK tour and at Garrick)
Puppet Design and Fabrication / Puppet Director
Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company
Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company
Lighting Designer
Paule Constable
Paule Constable
Recently for the National Theatre: Ballet Shoes, Nye (also Wales Millennium Centre), Till the Stars Come Down, The Confessions, Dixon and Daughters, The Normal Heart, The Visit, or The Old Lady Comes to Call and The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Director of Movement and Horse Choreography
Original Animation and Projection Design
Leo Warner for 59
Leo Warner for 59
Original Animation and Projection Design
Mark Grimmer for 59
Mark Grimmer for 59
Music
Adrian Sutton
Adrian Sutton
For the National Theatre: War Horse, Coram Boy, Angels in America and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Songmaker
John Tams
John Tams
For the National Theatre: includes War Horse, The Mysteries, Lark Rise to Candleford and Glengarry Glen Ross.
Sound Designer
Christopher Shutt
Christopher Shutt
For the National Theatre: Mnemonic (2024), a co-production with Complicité, London Tide, The Crucible (West End), Much Ado About Nothing, The Corn is Green, Paradise, Hansard, Antony and Cleopatra, Top Girls, Julie, John, Twelfth Night, Man and Superman, Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and War Horse (also West End and Broadway and on tour)
War Horse at the New London Theatre photographed by Brinkhoff Mögenburg.