Everything you need to know about 'War Horse'

As the multi-award-winning play gallops back into the National Theatre, get to know this legendary show.

Summary

• The extraordinary War Horse is returning to the National Theatre
• The play is an adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's novel
• The show features remarkable life-sized horse puppets
• War Horse has won numerous prizes including five Tony Awards

The extraordinary, multi-award-winning stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel is back at the National Theatre, where it originally premiered in 2007, for an encore run this summer. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience the theatrical magic of War Horse’s storytelling all over again, or to introduce this beautifully crafted family show to a new generation.

The National Theatre run follows a sold-out tour, and now London audiences get a fresh chance to see War Horse’s stirring First World War-set tale and the legendary, life-size horses conjured to life by Handspring Puppet Company.

Book War Horse tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

What is War Horse about?

War Horse’s story begins with the auction of a young foal, Joey, in Devon. Ted Narracott buys the horse, using money that was meant to pay his farm’s mortgage. Ted’s son Albert promises to train Joey for sale, but instead the pair form an intense bond. However, when war breaks out, Ted sells Joey to the cavalry.

Joey and fellow horse Topthorn are shipped out to France, where the British cavalry is brutally overwhelmed by German machine guns. Albert’s cousin Billy rides Joey into battle, but they are captured by enemy troops. Albert lies about his age so he can enlist as well.

Joey winds up in the possession of a German officer, Friedrich Muller, who loves horses, and he pulls an ambulance for wounded soldiers. But the reprieve is short-lived: Joey then falls into the hands of other German soldiers, who force him and Topthorn to work a punishing schedule as draft horses.

While fleeing, Joey is caught in barbed wire in No Man’s Land, but fortunately both German and British soldiers agree a brief truce in order to save him. Albert suffers a traumatic experience as well, being temporarily blinded by tear gas, but happily he and Joey are finally reunited when the war ends.

Who wrote War Horse?

War Horse began life as a novel written by the best-selling author Michael Morpurgo, published in 1982. It has been turned into a movie directed by Steven Spielberg, and in 2007 Nick Stafford adapted it for the stage. Stafford’s other work includes The Chain Play and Battle Royal, both at the National Theatre, and Luminosity at the Barbican.

When was War Horse first performed?

War Horse had its world premiere in the National Theatre’s Olivier space in October 2007. It ran until February 2008 and swiftly returned for another run from September 2008 to March 2009.

The play then transferred to the West End, playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 2009-2016 – more than 3,000 performances. It also played on Broadway, in countries such as Canada, Australia, Germany, South Africa and China, and has toured the UK.

What awards has War Horse won?

War Horse has won numerous prizes, including two Evening Standard Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Drama League Award, and five Tony Awards: Best Play, Best Direction for Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, Best Scenic Design for Rae Smith, Best Lighting Design for Paule Constable, and Best Sound Design for Christopher Shutt.

Who are the characters in War Horse?

The characters in War Horse include:

• Joey: our titular horse who grows up on a farm and is then taken into battle during the First World War
• Albert Narracott: a young lad who develops a special relationship with Joey
• Billy Narracott: Albert’s cousin who is jealous of his bond with Joey
• Ted Narracott: the drunken farmer who originally buys Joey
• James Nicholls: a British army captain who promises Albert he’ll look out for Joey
• Friedrich Muller: a German officer who is very fond of horses
• Emilie: a French girl who helps him care for Joey
• Topthorn: another horse who is sent to war with Joey

Where is War Horse playing?

The show is playing at the National Theatre on Upper Ground, on London’s South Bank. The theatre’s Olivier space has a seating capacity of 1,160.

When is War Horse playing?

War Horse is booking from 16 May to 30 July 2026. Performances take place from Monday to Saturday at 7:30pm, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:15pm.

How long is War Horse?

The running time of the show is 2 hours and 45 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.

Who is in the cast of War Horse?

The cast for this new National Theatre run is yet to be announced.

Who is in the creative team of War Horse?

War Horse was originally directed by Marianne Elliott (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America) and Tom Morris (The Grinning Man, Touching the Void). The revival director is Katie Henry (A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

The show’s set and costume designer is Rae Smith (The Importance of Being Earnest), puppet design and fabrication is by Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company (Little Amal), and the director of movement and horse choreography is Toby Sedgwick (The 39 Steps).

What are some fun facts about War Horse?

• The jaw-dropping horse puppets, representing Joey and Topthorn, are actually life-size: they’re around 8 feet long and 10 feet tall. However, they’re impressively lightweight, made out of cane, aluminium, leather and mesh, so that they can be operated by the onstage performers.

• There is a three-person team for each horse puppet, known as the head, the heart and the hind operators. The head puppeteer controls the movement of the horse’s head and ears, essentially communicating its facial expressions, while the heart operator moves its body and front legs, and the hind operator moves its back legs and tails.

• The puppets are incredibly detailed, modelled on the skeleton of an actual horse, right down to its musculature and bone structure. Since the mesh used for the puppets is translucent, audiences can see the details underneath and the puppeteers operating, a technique known as “visible puppetry”.

• War Horse isn’t just a remarkable creative feat: it’s an incredibly powerful and emotional homage to the real animals that were taken to serve in the trenches. Tragically, more than eight million horses died during the First World War, so this lovingly crafted play is a meaningful tribute and a reminder of the terrible cost of war.

Book War Horse tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Photo credit: War Horse on its UK tour (Photos by Brinkhoff/Moegenburg)