(AGENPARL) – gio 11 luglio 2024 For immediate release: Thursday 11 July
FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE
UPCOMING UK & IRELAND TOUR OF
WAR HORSE
BEGINNING PERFORMANCES
ON 5 SEPTEMBER 2024
The National Theatre today announces the cast for the internationally acclaimed production of War
Horse, based on Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, which embarks on a major UK and Ireland tour from
5 September 2024, touring through to 2026.
The full cast of 35 includes: Rianna Ash (Joey/Topthorn head), Alexander Ballinger (Friedrich/Allan),
Diany Bandza (Emilie/Baby Joey), Eloise Beaumont-Wood (Baby Joey), Ike Bennett (David
Taylor/Thomas Bone), Haydn Burke (Billy Narracott/Heine/Klebb), Sophie Cartman (Matron Callaghan),
Jo Castleton (Rose Narracott), Owen Dagnall (Geordie), Alexandra Donnachie (Joey/Topthorn head),
Felicity Donnelly (Joey/Topthorn hind), Tom Gilbey (Sergeant Fine), Thomas Goodridge (Joey/Topthorn
hind), Karl Haynes (Ted Narracott), Robin Hayward (Joey/Topthorn heart), Michael Larcombe
(Joey/Topthorn hind), Matthew Lawrence (Joey/Topthorn head), Madeleine Leslay (Paulette/Sarah
Carter), Jack Lord (Klausen), Damian Lynch (Carter/Strauss), Lewis McBean (Joey/Topthorn heart),
Chris Milford (Joey/Tophorn heart), Jordan Paris (Baby Joey), Anne-Marie Piazza (Nell Allan/Schnabel),
Tea Poldervaart (Joey/Topthorn head), Lucy Thorburn (Jenny Bone/Annie Gilbert), Gareth Radcliffe
(Arthur Narracott/Sergeant Thunder), Daniel Rock (Captain Stewart/Ludwig), Tom Sturgess (Albert
Narracott), Alistair So (Vet Martin), Simon Stanhope (Manfred), Gun Suen (Joey/Topthorn hind), Sally
Swanson (The Singer), Chris Williams (Lieutenant Nicholls/Dr Schewyk) and Rafe Young (Joey/Topthorn
heart).
War Horse, adapted by Nick Stafford and originally directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, has
become the most successful play in the history of the National Theatre, winning more than 25 major
awards and has been seen by over 8.3 million people worldwide. This new tour is co-produced with
Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel, and Playing Field.
War Horse tells the remarkable story of a young boy called Albert and his horse Joey, set against the
backdrop of the First World War. This powerfully moving and imaginative drama is a show of phenomenal
inventiveness, filled with stirring music and songs, featuring ground-breaking puppetry work by South
Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which brings breathing, galloping, charging, horses to thrilling life
on stage and has inspired a generation of theatre-makers since its premiere in 2007.
The tour will be playing at: New Wimbledon Theatre (5 – 14 September 2024), The Lowry, Salford (18 –
28 September 2024) Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (8 – 19 October 2024), The Marlowe,
Canterbury (22 October – 2 November 2024), Sunderland Empire (5 – 16 November 2024), Theatre
Royal Plymouth (26 November – 7 December 2024), New Theatre Oxford (10 December 2024 – 4
January 2025), New Victoria Theatre, Woking (14 – 25 January 2025), Bord Gáis Energy Theatre,
Dublin (29 January – 1 February 2025), Grand Opera House, Belfast (4 – 15 February 2025), The Regent
Theatre, Stoke (4 – 8 March 2025), Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (11 – 22 March 2025), Theatre Royal
Glasgow (25 March – 5 April 2025), Liverpool Empire (8– 19 April), Milton Keynes Theatre (22 April – 3
May 2025), Nottingham Royal Concert Hall (7 – 17 May 2025) and Bristol Hippodrome (3 – 21 June 2025).
Casting for Leeds Grand Theatre (19 August – 6 September 2025), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (2 – 11
October 2025), Wales Millennium Centre (15 – 25 October 2025) and Norwich Theatre Royal (28
October – 8 November 2025) to be announced.
Assisted performances are available throughout the run at each venue. Further tour dates and venues to
be announced. For more information and to book tickets visit WarHorseOnStage.com.
At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped
to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on
both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. Albert, who remained on his parents’ Devon farm,
cannot forget Joey. Though still not old enough to enlist he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him
and bring him home.
This tour of War Horse marks 110 years since the start of the First World War and follows the 40th
anniversary of the publication of Michael Morpurgo’s global best-selling novel, which has now sold over 35
million copies world-wide and in 37 different languages.
Creative development for the tour has been led by Tom Morris with revival director Katie Henry, featuring
reimagined designs by Rae Smith and additional music by Adrian Sutton. Puppet design and fabrication
is by Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company, lighting design is by Rob Casey, movement and
horse choreography is by Toby Sedgwick with puppet direction by Matthew Forbes. Animation and
projection design is by Nicol Scott for 59 Productions, John Tams is songmaker and sound design is by
Christopher Shutt. Casting is by Jill Green CDG. They are joined by associate designer Will Fricker and
associate costume designer Johanna Coe; associate lighting designer Tom Turner; associate sound
designer Rob Bettle, assistant sound designer Raffaela Pancucci, musical director Dom Coyote, voice
coach Carol Fairlamb, dialect coach Rebecca Daltry, resident director Anna Marshall and assistant
puppetry director Lewis Howard.
War Horse received its world premiere on 9 October 2007 at the National Theatre, where it played for two
seasons before opening at the New London Theatre in March 2009. Since then, War Horse has been
seen in 97 cities in 14 countries, including productions on Broadway, in Toronto and Berlin, with touring
productions in the UK and Ireland, North America, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The National Theatre’s Partner for Financial Wellbeing, Charles Stanley, is supporting War Horse on tour.
War Horse will visit Theatre Nation Partnerships venues, including The Lowry in Salford, Sunderland
Empire, Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
Further Materials
Cast headshots here
Cast biogs here
Artwork available here
Images from previous productions by Brinkhoff/Moegenburg are available here
LISTINGS
Dates: Performances from 5 September 2024 (detailed tour schedule below)
Press performance: Sunday 22 September 2024, 2:30pm at The Lowry, Salford
Assisted Performances: Check individual venue websites for information and booking details
Age Recommendation: 10+
Social Platforms:
Follow on Instagram @WarHorseOnStage
Twitter @WarHorseOnStage
Facebook War Horse On Stage
#WarHorse
WAR HORSE UK TOUR DATES FOR 2024-2025
New Wimbledon Theatre
atgtickets.com/new-wimbledon-theatre
5 – 14 September 2024
The Lowry, Salford
thelowry.com
18 – 28 September 2024
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
mayflower.org.uk
8 – 19 October 2024
Marlowe Theatre Canterbury
marlowetheatre.com
22 October – 2 November 2024
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com/sunderland-empire
5 – 16 November 2024
Theatre Royal Plymouth
theatreroyal.com
26 November – 7 December 2024
New Theatre Oxford
atgtickets.com/new-theatre-oxford
10 December 2024 – 4 January 2025
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
14 – 25 January 2025
atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre
Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin
bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
29 January – 1 February 2025
Grand Opera House, Belfast
goh.co.uk
4 – 15 February 2025
Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent
atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre
4 – 8 March 2025
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
grandtheatre.co.uk
11 – 22 March 2025
Theatre Royal Glasgow
25 March – 5 April 2025
atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow
Liverpool Empire
atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire
8 – 19 April 2025
Milton Keynes Theatre
22 April – 3 May 2025
atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre
Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
trch.co.uk
7 – 17 May 2025
Bristol Hippodrome
3 – 21 June 2025
atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome
Leeds Grand Theatre
leedsheritagetheatres.com
19 August – 6 September 2025
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
2 – 11 October 2025
http://www.capitaltheatres.com
Wales Millennium Centre
15 – 25 October 2025
http://www.wmc.org.uk
Norwich Theatre Royal
28 October – 8 November 2025
norwichtheatre.org
NOTES TO EDITOR
War Horse – original creative credits
The original production of War Horse was co-directed by Tom Morris and Marianne Elliott, with design
by Rae Smith and puppet design and fabrication by Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler for Handspring
Puppet Company. Original lighting design was by Paule Constable, with movement and horse
choreography by Toby Sedgwick and animation and projection design by Leo Warner and Mark
Grimmer for 59 Productions. Original Music was by Adrian Sutton with John Tams as songmaker and
sound design was by Christopher Shutt.
About the National Theatre
The National Theatre makes theatre that entertains and inspires using its creativity, expertise and unique
reach. The National Theatre shares unforgettable stories with millions of audience members across the
UK and around the world – on its own stages, on tour, in schools, on cinema screens and streaming at
home.
World-leading artists make their best work at the National Theatre with the widest possible audience and
impact. The National Theatre invests in talent and innovation on stage and off, taking seriously its role as
the nation’s theatre. Of the new productions developed each year with a wide range of theatre
companies, a third of that research and development resource is dedicated to shows staged at theatres
outside London.
Through touring our work to local theatres and schools and nationwide education and community
programmes, we are active in 71 of the 109 levelling up priority areas in the UK. A registered charity with
deeply embedded social purpose, the National Theatre works with hundreds of schools and communities
across the UK to fire imagination and inspire creativity, and to develop skills and pathways for careers in
theatre.
For more information, please visit nationaltheatre.org.uk
@NationalTheatre
@NT_PressOffice
About Michael Harrison
Michael Harrison’s West End musicals include: The Little Big Things (@sohoplace), Crazy For You (Gillian
Lynne), The Wizard of Oz (The London Palladium), Oklahoma! (Wyndham’s), The Drifters Girl (Garrick), two
seasons of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (The London Palladium), Mel Brooks’ Young
Frankenstein (Garrick), Annie (Piccadilly), Mrs Henderson Presents (Noël Coward), Gypsy (Savoy) and The
Bodyguard (Adelphi and Dominion).
In 2022 with Andrew Lloyd Webber, he formed Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals to produce both new
musicals and revivals of Andrew’s existing work. Productions include Jamie Lloyd’s reimagined Sunset
Boulevard (Savoy) starring Nicole Scherzinger and a new production of Starlight Express at Troubadour
Wembley Park Theatre. Sunset Boulevard will transfer to Broadway later this year.
This summer Michael will produce Hello, Dolly! starring Imelda Staunton at The London Palladium.
Michael’s London Palladium pantomimes: Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk, Pantoland, Goldilocks and
the Three Bears, Snow White, Dick Whittington and Cinderella, have proved to be huge popular hits, with
Dick Whittington winning the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family.
He is Chief Executive of Crossroads Pantomimes, responsible for many of the major number one
pantomimes across the UK.
About Fiery Angel
Headed by Edward Snape and Marilyn Eardley, Fiery Angel is an award-winning international production
company based in London’s West End.
Recent productions in the West End include: King Lear, Hairspray, Peppa Pig Live, Dolly Parton’s Smoky
Mountain Christmas Carol, Circus 1903, Touching The Void, The Son, The Night of the Iguana, Fleabag,
Home I’m Darling, Long Day’s Journey into Night, Mary Stuart, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, Kenneth
Branagh Theatre Company; The Winter’s Tale, All On Her Own/Harlequinade, Red Velvet, The Painkiller,
Romeo and Juliet, The Entertainer, The 39 Steps, The Scottsboro Boys, The Ladykillers, and Ghost Stories.
Recent UK Tours include: Rob Brydon: A Night of Songs and Laughter, The 39 Steps, The Boy at the Back
of the Class, And Then There Were None, Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder!, Tubular Bells, The Smartest
Giant in Town, Peppa Pig Live, Unexpected Twist, Animal Farm, The Good Life, Love From A Stranger,
and To Kill a Mockingbird.
Fiery Angel has acted as a co-producer alongside The National Theatre on its West End productions
of Nine Night, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and The Lehman Trilogy.
About Playing Field
Combining our knowledge of theatre and capital, Playing Field is dedicated to accelerating the creation of
world class theatre. We are involved in the early-stage development, late-stage investment and
production of a wide variety of projects in London, nationally and internationally.
Work includes Life of Pi (London, UK Tour, NY, US Tour), Back to the Future (London, NY, US Tour), The
Hills of California, Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Red Pitch, Starlight Express, MJ The Musical, Hello Dolly!,
Opening Night, Dear England, King Lear, Stranger Things, The Motive and the Cue, Dr Strangelove, Just
For One Day, Lyonesse, Edward Scissorhands, Merrily We Roll Along (NY), Dr Semmelweis, For Black Boys
Who Have Considered Suicide, A Strange Loop, The Crucible, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Crazy for
You, Groundhog Day, A Little Life, A Streetcar Named Desire, Patriots, 2.22, A Doll’s House, Medea, The
Wizard of Oz, Sleeping Beauty, New York, New York, Oklahoma!, Sylvia, The Piano Lesson (NY), Death of a
Salesman (NY), Moulin Rouge, The Lehman Trilogy (London, NY), Jerusalem, Funny Girl (NY), The Time
Travellers Wife, 101 Dalmatians, Good, Cruise, Girl from the North Country, Grease, Hairspray, Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Pillowman, Touching the Void, The Bodyguard, The Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Fiddler on the Roof.
playingfield.co.uk