War Horse 2009

Run Time:
Two hours and 40 minutes
Ages: 10+
Opened: April 3, 2009
Closing: March 12, 2016

War Horse - 2009 - West End History , Info & More

War Horse is a thrilling and spectacular production based on the celebrated novel by Michael Morpurgo.

The First World War is the backdrop for this tale of bravery, loyalty, and the extraordinary bond between a young recruit and his horse.

Actors, working with astonishing life-sized puppets by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company, take audiences on an unforgettable journey through history.

War Horse, based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, is a powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and magnificent artistry. South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company brings breathing, galloping, full-scale horses to life on the stage- their flanks, hides and sinews built of steel, leather and aircraft cables. Experience the emotional journey that charges through the battlefields of history straight to hearts of audiences around the world.

Based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford in association with Handspring Puppet Company.

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WAR HORSE Announces Final Extension in the West End, New Fall 2017 UK Tour
by BWW News Desk - September 17, 2015

After eight record breaking years, the National Theatre has announced the final extension of its West End run of WAR HORSE, with a last performance at the New London Theatre scheduled for 12 March 2016. 

Photo Flash: Joey and the Cast of WAR HORSE Take Part in 'Wear a Hat' Day for Brain Tumour Research
by BWW News Desk - March 27, 2015

Joey the equine star of War Horse joined fellow cast members and thousands of people across the UK taking part in Wear A Hat Day for Brain Tumour Research. The touching tribute took place in memory of 60-year-old Victor 'Vic' Hamilton, a driver at the National Theatre, who lost his life to a brain tumour in March, National Brain Tumour Awareness month. Joey, currently on stage at the New London Theatre, attended a photocall in a striking pink top hat, designed exclusively for Brain Tumour Research by Lock & Co, the world's oldest hat shop in St James's Street, London. Scroll down for photos!

Photo Flash: First Look at New Cast of West End's WAR HORSE
by Tyler Peterson - March 20, 2015

At the New London Theatre, the proud home of Michael Morpurgo's much celebrated War Horse, the National Theatre's acclaimed stage production recently extended bookings for the West End production to 13 February 2016. In its eighth year, and having now been seen by over 6 million worldwide, a new cast of 26 actors and 12 puppeteers joined the company this month led by the show's equine star Joey.

Photo Flash: Michael Morpurgo, James Backway, Phillip Bertioli & More Join Cast of WAR HORSE!
by Danielle Ashley Dias - February 3, 2015

At the New London Theatre, the proud home of Michael Morpurgo's much celebrated War Horse, the National Theatre's acclaimed stage production today (2 February) releases over 150,000 new tickets for sale taking bookings for the West End production to 13 February 2016. In its eighth year, and having now been seen by over 6 million worldwide, a new cast of 26 actors and 12 puppeteers join the company on 16 March 2015 led by the show's equine star Joey. War Horse recently completed sell-out dates in South Africa visiting Johannesburg and Cape Town and has now returned to the UK where it will complete a record-breaking national tour in Bristol next month.

Photo Flash: WAR HORSE Author Michael Morpurgo & 'Joey' Visit Ypres
by Tyler Peterson - December 23, 2014

Best-selling author Michael Morpurgo, made a special visit to Ypres yesterday, Monday 22 December, 2014, accompanied by Joey, the life-size puppet horse and central character of the National Theatre's production of War Horse. Adapted for the stage from his novel in 2007, War Horse is now in its sixth year in London, on tour in Holland and will make its Belgian premiere in Antwerp in 2015.

Photo Flash: Mary Berry Presents WAR HORSE's Joey with Poppy Bouquet
by Sally Henry Fuller - November 8, 2014

Food writer and TV presenter Mary Berry today attended the matinee performance of War Horse at the New London Theatre accompanied by members of her family. After the performance, Mary and her husband, children and grandchildren, met members of the War Horse company, including Joey the equine star of the show, to whom she presented a special bouquet of poppies in honour of all of those who have lost their lives in conflicts. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the evening below!

Photo Flash: WAR HORSE's Joey and Author Michael Morpurgo at the Tower of London
by BWW News Desk - October 20, 2014

Yesterday (Sunday 19 October 2014), best-selling author Michael Morpurgo was joined by Joey, the life-size horse puppet and star of the National Theatre's production of War Horse visiting the poppies installation at the Tower of London. Joey walked amongst the poppies and Michael Morpurgo planted a poppy and then returned to read the Roll of Honour. The puppeteers were Sam Clark (Joey Head), Robin Guiver (Joey Heart) and Derek Arnold (Joey Hind). Scroll down for photos!

WAR HORSE Offers Relaxed Performance Today
by BWW News Desk - September 20, 2014

Today 20 September 2014 at 2pm the National Theatre's internationally acclaimed award-winning stage production of Michael Morpurgo's War Horse will hold a relaxed performance at the New London Theatre in association with The National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK's leading charity for people with autism and their families.

WAR HORSE to Offer Relaxed Performance, 20 September
by Tyler Peterson - June 12, 2014

On Saturday 20 September 2014 at 2pm the National Theatre's internationally acclaimed award-winning stage production of Michael Morpurgo's War Horse will hold a relaxed performance at the New London Theatre in association with The National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK's leading charity for people with autism and their families.

BWW Reviews: Horsing Around with WARHORSE
by Finny (Amanda Finn) - June 12, 2014

A great poet named Robert Frost once said, 'poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.' WarHorse, in much the same way, is a play that found its words in moments full of 'naysaying' and silence.

BWW Reviews: WAR HORSE is Spectacular
by David Clarke - May 28, 2014

On the heels of Memorial Day, Broadway Across America - Houston is presenting the First US National Tour of the acclaimed play WAR HORSE. The visually spectacular production first premiered on London's Off-West End in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre. It transferred to the West End's New London Theatre, where it is still running. It enjoyed Broadway success at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at New York City's Lincoln Center. It has since been produced in Canada, Australia, and Germany. After seeing this tour, it is no surprise that everywhere the play goes, it leaves tear-soaked audiences speechless and amazed.

BWW Reviews: WAR HORSE Weaves a Spell of Sublime Storytelling in Austin
by Michelle Hache - May 8, 2014

Based on the best-selling 1982 novel by Michael Morpurgo and set in both rural Devon, England and war-torn France during World War I, War Horse is truly a perfect marriage of art, music, choreography and storytelling.

National Theatre Lets WAR HORSE Musicians Go; Opts for Pre-Recorded Soundtrack
by Hilary Kelly - April 9, 2014

The National Theatre has terminated the contracts of five musicians who, until recently, provided live accompaniment for the West End production of War Horse, according to The Stage.

The BWW Q&A: Jack Loxton of WAR HORSE!
by Carrie Dunn - April 1, 2014

We talk to the actor now playing Albert in War Horse about taking on the role, why he always wanted to work with the National Theatre, his most annoying traits, and whether he's a cat or dog person...

Photo Flash: First Look at New Cast of National Theatre's WAR HORSE
by Nicole Rosky - March 27, 2014

The National Theatre's internationally acclaimed stage production of War Horse recently extended booking at the New London Theatre to 14 February 2015.Now celebrating its seventh year on the London stage, Nick Stafford's adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's book continues to play to sell-out houses in the West End. War Horse, which has now been seen by over 5 million people worldwide, was broadcast live for the first time in February this year part of National Theatre Live.

WAR HORSE Now Seen by 5 Million Audience Members Worldwide
by Tyler Peterson - February 28, 2014

The National Theatre of Great Britain's epic WAR HORSE, winner of five 2011 Tony Awards including Best Play, this week achieved the extraordinary milestone of welcoming its 5 millionth audience member worldwide. Additionally, the North American tour of WAR HORSE, which debuted in June 2012 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, is now the highest grossing and most attended play ever to tour the US and Canada. Currently playing at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center in Orlando, FL, the tour will next move to Miami, FL for an engagement at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. A full tour route is below. The tour continues through August 2014.

National Theatre's Original Stage Production of WAR HORSE Heads to U.S. Theaters Today
by BWW News Desk - February 27, 2014

Fathom Events, National Theatre Live (NT Live) and BY Experience have come together again to broadcast the National Theatre's original stage production of 'War Horse,' pre-recorded live from London's West End, for only one night in cinemas across the country tonight, Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m. local time. Based on Michael Morpurgo's novel and adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford, 'War Horse' takes audiences on a journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of France during World War I. Filled with stirring music and songs, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-size puppets by South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to life on stage.

National Theatre Live Broadcast of WAR HORSE to Screen at NYC's Ziegfeld Theatre, 2/27
by BWW News Desk - February 12, 2014

Fathom Events, National Theatre Live (NT Live) and BY Experience have come together again to broadcast the National Theatre's original stage production of 'War Horse,' pre-recorded live from London's West End, for only one night in cinemas across the country on Thursday, February 27. For the first time ever, a broadcast from National Theatre Live will be shown at New York City's legendary Ziegfeld Theatre (141 West 54th Street) on February 27th at 7:00 p.m. The broadcast can also be seen in New York at Cinema 123 (1001 3rd Avenue) with encore dates/times to follow.

Photo Flash: WAR HORSE Equine Star Joey Celebrates 2,000 Performances in the West End
by BWW News Desk - January 22, 2014

On 21 January 2014, The National Theatre's internationally acclaimed award-winning stage production of War Horse celebrates its 2000th West End performance. The celebrations began with Joey, the equine star of War Horse, visiting the iconic London landmark, the EDF Energy London Eye, where he enjoyed views across the capital, including the National Theatre where he made his first appearance back in October 2007. Scroll down for photos!

War Horse FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

War Horse has had 4 productions including West End which opened in 2009, Broadway which opened in 2011, US Tour which opened in 2012 and West End which opened in 2019.
War Horse has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Tom Morris, The Audience Award for Most Popular Show at the Olivier Awards for Michael Morpurgo, Best Director at the Olivier Awards for Marianne Elliott, Best Lighting Design at the Olivier Awards for Paule Constable, Best Set Design at the Olivier Awards for Rae Smith, Best Sound Design at the Olivier Awards for Christopher Shutt, Best Theatre Choreographer at the Olivier Awards for Toby Sedgwick, Best Designer at the Evening Standard Awards for Rae Smith, and Best Designer at the Evening Standard Awards for The Handspring Puppet Company.
War Horse has won several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Tom Morris, The Audience Award for Most Popular Show at the Olivier Awards for Michael Morpurgo, Best Director at the Olivier Awards for Marianne Elliott, Best Lighting Design at the Olivier Awards for Paule Constable, Best Set Design at the Olivier Awards for Rae Smith, Best Sound Design at the Olivier Awards for Christopher Shutt, Best Theatre Choreographer at the Olivier Awards for Toby Sedgwick, Best Designer at the Evening Standard Awards for Rae Smith, and Best Designer at the Evening Standard Awards for The Handspring Puppet Company.

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