The National Theatre’s internationally-acclaimed production of War Horse will hit the stage at Stoke-on-Trent’s Regent Theatre next month – arriving on Wednesday, September 24, to Saturday, October 11
The first major tour of War Horse in the UK and Ireland started in September last year and has since been playing to packed houses nationwide and is currently in the middle of a nine-week run at The Lowry in Salford Quays.
War Horse is the powerful story of a young boy called Albert and his beloved horse, Joey. Albert is devastated when he receives the news that Joey is to be requisitioned to fight for the British in the First World War.
Caught in the crossfire, Joey ends up serving on both sides during the conflict before landing in the treacherous area known as No Man’s Land.
While Albert, not old enough to enlist, embarks on a dangerous but determined mission to find his horse and bring him home.
This year marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, tagged ‘the war to end all wars’ but, as subsequent conflicts prove, that label was a forlorn hope.
The anniversary merely adds to the poignancy of the story told by Morpurgo in his much-loved tale.
A remarkable account of courage, loyalty and friendship, War Horse features ground-breaking puppetry work, by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, that brings to life on stage breathing, galloping and charging horses.
The novel was also turned into a Hollywood blockbuster movie by Steven Spielberg, starring Jeremy Irvine and Tom Hiddleston, although the critical response to the film paled in comparison with the praise which greets every production of the innovative stage version.
This powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness that has played to packed houses in London, New York and Toronto as well as every major venue it has visited on tour.
Hailed by the Sunday Express as ‘a monumental once-in-a-lifetime production,’ War Horse has been seen by over five and a half million people worldwide since its premiere at the National Theatre in 2007 and continues its hugely successful run at the New London Theatre in the West End.
Company members with local connections are: Jason Furnival was born in Stoke-on-Trent, trained in Leicester and lives in Newcastle-under-Lyme. His many credits include ITV’s Downton Abbey. Sean McKenzie lives in Heage, Derbyshire and Karl Haynes lives in West Hallam.
Based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, War Horse is adapted by Nick Stafford and presented in association with Handspring Puppet Company. Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, it is designed by Rae Smith, lighting is by Paule Constable and movement and horse choreography by Toby Sedgwick.
The puppetry directors are Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, with video design by 59 Productions Ltd, song-making by John Tams, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Christopher Shutt. Alex Sims directs the tour with Katie Henry as associate director.
Tickets are available from The Regent Theatre box office, in Stoke-on-Trent by calling 0844 871 7649 or visiting www.atgtickets/com/stoke .
