War Horse is the National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning World War I-set family drama.
War Horse is set at the outbreak of World War I, when Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He is soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.
The National Theatre’s epic production, War Horse is based on the celebrated novel by Children’s Laureate (2003-05) Michael Morpurgo. Actors working with striking life-sized puppets by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company lead the audience on a gripping journey through history.
War Horse premiered at the National Theatre in 2007, going on to win the 2008 Olivier Awards for Set Design and Choreography. Due to popular demand it was revived on the South Bank in 2008, before transferring to the New London Theatre.
National Theatre Associate Directors Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris direct War Horse. Elliott’s other credits include the acclaimed productions of Saint Joan, Pillars Of The Community and Harper Regan. Formerly the Artistic Director of the BAC, Morris’ other credits include A Matter Of Life And Death and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour.
War Horse is suitable for theatregoers aged 10 and older.
For more about War Horse at the New London theatre, read Michael Morpurgo’s exclusive article, learn more about the show with puppeteer Emily Cooper or read the Big Interview with former cast member Nicola Stephenson.
FAQs
The show premiered on 17 October 2007 in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre on the South Bank, London, on a run that ended on 14 February 2008.
Is War Horse still on at the theatre? ›
The National Theatre has announced that it's acclaimed stage production of War Horse is returning to UK theatres in 2024, 2025 and 2026!
Where can I watch War Horse National Theatre? ›
National Theatre at Home is available worldwide and can be watched on any internet-connected device through your web browser, or on the National Theatre at Home app via iOS, Android, Amazon Fire or Roku TV. You can choose to subscribe by the month, year or just rent a single play.
Where is War Horse Touring 2025? ›
The new dates and venues are for Leeds Grand Theatre (19 August – 6 September 2025), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (2 – 11 October 2025), Wales Millennium Centre (14 – 25 October 2025) and Norwich Theatre Royal (28 October – 8 November 2025).
How historically accurate is War Horse? ›
So for the cavalry, armed with only swords, to go against machine guns would have been pointless and was not a probable strategy to use in the war. Another inaccurate part of the film is that the trenches were not angular and straight. These inaccuracies are small but do not hinder the movie's authenticity.
How old was War Horse when he died? ›
He lived until 1941, when he was put down, as his owner Jack Seely felt that the extra corn rations needed to keep the 33-year-old hero going could not be justified in wartime. Warrior was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal, regarded as the highest accolade an animal can receive for serving in military conflict.
Was War Horse filmed with a real horse? ›
During filming, fourteen different horses were used as the main horse character Joey, eight of them portraying him as an adult animal, four as a colt and two as a foal; four horses played the other main equine character, Topthorn. Up to 280 horses were used in a single scene.
What happens to the horses in War Horse? ›
Both horses and their riders survive, but Trooper Warren and Captain Stewart are taken as Prisoners of War by the Germans, and Topthorn and Joey now belong to the German Army as ambulance horses. They are kept on a nearby farm and are hailed as heroes.
Is there singing in War Horse? ›
Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford and directed by Tom Morris, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness.
How many horses died in WW1? ›
More than 8 million horses, mules and donkeys died in World War I alone. These rugged animals transported ammunition and supplies over landscapes that vehicles could not navigate. And they suffered the same fate as the human warriors, dying from shellfire, weather, chemical gas, or disease.
Age Guidance: 10+. Children under 3 will not be admitted.
Does the horse in War Horse live? ›
Joey and Topthorn have survived years of hard service in the German army, much longer than most horses, but Topthorn finally succumbs to exhaustion and dies.
Where is War Horse available? ›
Watch War Horse | Prime Video.
Where is War Horse buried? ›
By 1918 he had seen action in the battles of the Somme, Ypres, Aras and Cambrai. That moving final request was fulfilled when Blackie died years later, in 1942, and was buried in Halewood, Liverpool, at the site of a horse sanctuary where he was seeing out his final days.
Did War Horse win Oscars? ›
