


Be dropped into the unforgettable odyssey of War Horse, the National Theatre’s landmark production, as it returns to the Olivier Theatre almost two decades after its grand debut. Book War Horse tickets on London Theatre.
War Horse is a play based on Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel and adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford. It follows a young Albert Narracott and his horse, Joey, whose lives are torn to shreds when Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent off to France. Albert, being too young to enlist in the army, still refuses to give up on his friend and sets out on a courageous journey that carries him from Devon to the active battlefields of Europe. War Horse is a story of loyalty and unabashed love, and what it means to survive against the great war machine.
This production was a powerhouse when it premiered in 2007, and it remains so now. The life-sized horses created by Handspring Puppet Company bring an incredible production quality to the play that cannot be beat. Joey and Topthorn remain among the most beautiful and ambitious creations in modern theatre, turning this tale into something equally emotional and monumental. The revival returns to the National Theatre following a sold-out UK and Ireland tour, with Tom Morris leading the production and Katie Henry as the revival director.
War Horse in London boasts a phenomenal creative team, including set and costume design by Rae Smith, music by Adrian Sutton, songmaking by John Tams, and sound by Christopher Shutt. Alongside this crew is a masterful cast, led by Tom Sturgess as Albert Narracott, Jo Castleton as Rose Narracott, and Stephen Beckett as Ted Narracott, along with a large ensemble and the expert puppetry team.
War Horse remains one of the theatre’s most ambitious, gorgeous productions. Not only is it visually breathtaking and monumental, but it is filled with a whole lot of heart.
2hr 45min. Incl. Interval.
Plays, Adventure, Book Adaptation, Off West End, Family / Kid-friendly, Must-See
Ages 10+.
16th May, 2026
30th July, 2026

By: Michael Morpurgo
Directors: Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris
Sets and Costume Designer/Drawings: Rae Smith
Puppet Design and Fabrication: Adrian Kohler Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company
Lighting Designer: Paule Constable
Director of Movement and Horse Choreography: Toby Sedgwick
Puppetry Director: Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company
Animation and Projection Design: Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer
Music: Adrian Sutton
Songmaker: John Tams
Sound Designer: Christopher Shut
Location: Fringe/Off West End
Railway station: Waterloo
Bus numbers: (Waterloo Road) 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, RV1, X68
Night bus numbers: (Waterloo Road) 139, 176, 188, 243, 341, N1, N68, N76, N171, N343
Car park: National Theatre, Upper Ground (1min)
Directions from tube: (10mins) Follow signs for exits to the South Bank. This should lead you to an underground pedestrian passage called ‘Sutton Walk’ that emerges at the South Bank. Turn right and walk along the river Thames until you see the National Theatre.
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| Day of week | Matinee | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | - | 7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | - | 7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 2:15 PM | 7:30 PM |
| Thursday | - | - |
| Friday | - | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 2:15 PM | 7:30 PM |
| Sunday | - | - |
Be dropped into the unforgettable odyssey of War Horse, the National Theatre’s landmark production with five Tony awards behind it, as it returns to the Olivier Theatre almost two decades after its grand debut.
The recommended age for War Horse is Ages 10+..
War Horse is playing at Olivier Theatre. The theatre is located at National Theatre, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX.
The running time of War Horse is 2hr 45min. Incl. Interval.
Book tickets for War Horse on London Theatre.
Tickets for War Horse start at £30.
The original novel was written by Michael Morpurgo, and it was adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford.
This revival is created by Tom Morris and introduces Katie Henry as the revival director.
War Horse is recommended for those ages 10 and over. Production notes mention the use of loud sound effects, flashing lights, haze, and strobe lighting.
War Horse is arguably one of the National Theatre’s most acclaimed and commercially successful productions. One of its most appealing and gorgeous factors is its ambitious puppetry and staging.
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