War Horse

War Horse is a play based on the book of the same name by children’s writer Michael Morpurgo, adapted for stage by Nick Stafford. Originally Morpurgo thought “they must be mad” to try to make a play from his best-selling 1982 novel; nonetheless, the play was a success. The play’s West End and Broadway productions are directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris; it features life-size horse puppets by the Handspring Puppet Company of South Africa, with “horse choreography” by Toby Sedgwick.

A captured foal is brought to Devon in the United Kingdom to be auctioned. Hoping to give it to his son Billy, Arthur Narracott bids on the foal; instead, his brother Ted competes with him and bids 39 guineas—an exorbitant amount for the poor farmer, winning the horse. The local drunkard, Ted is considered to be a coward, for refusing to have fought together with his brother in the earlier Boer War in South Africa. At the auction, Ted used money reserved to pay his farm mortgage. Ted’s wife Rose fears they will lose their farm. Their son Albert promises to raise the foal and train him for sale. The boy names the foal Joey, and forms a strong bond with him during training.

Playing New London London

Opened 03, Apr 2009

Reviews: this is what they all said !

 

 

 

Cast London 2014

Alice Barclay

James Barriscale

Michael Brett

Matthew Burgess

Finn Caldwell