The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, makes its East Sussex premiere at the Brighton Centre from Thursday 25th January – Saturday 10th February 2018.
War Horse is the powerful story of a young boy called Albert and his beloved horse, Joey, who has been requisitioned to fight for the British in World War I. Caught in enemy crossfire, Joey ends up serving on both sides during the war before landing in No Man’s Land, while Albert, not old enough to enlist, embarks on a treacherous mission to find his horse and bring him home. A remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship, War Horse features ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which brings breathing and galloping horses to life on stage.
Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, War Horse is designed by Rae Smith, lighting is by Brighton based Tony and Olivier award-winning designer, Paule Constable and movement and horse choreography is 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. Katie Henry is revival director for this tour.
Kash Bennett, the producer of the show, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to be bringing War Horse to the Brighton Centre. We are thrilled to bring people in Brighton and Hove the theatrical magic and artistry of this very special show.’
Rebecca Esteves, of the Brighton Centre said: ‘We’re delighted to play host to this iconic, critically-acclaimed production on its first ever visit to the city. We’re sure that the people of the area will take this extraordinary play to their hearts.’
Michael Morpurgo, who has written over 100 books and was Children’s Laureate from 2003 to 2005, added: ‘After a few months rest, out at pasture, Joey, the War Horse and his great team from the National Theatre, will be touring the UK again, through 2018 and the centenary of the end of the First World War. The NT will be taking their show all over the country, to towns and cities, many of them places War Horse has not been seen before. I am so pleased this is happening; that so many more people will have the chance to enjoy this unique theatrical event.
The tour of War Horse coincides with the Centenary commemorations of the end of the First World War. Significantly, during the First World War, Brighton and Hove’s Royal Pavilion was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers and became one of the most famous military hospitals in Britain. From 1914 to 1916 it was used for Indian soldiers who had been wounded in the battlefields of the Western Front and from 1916 to 1920 it was used as a hospital for British troops who had lost their arms or legs in the war.
War Horse ran for eight successful years in London, and has been seen by over 7 million people worldwide since its premiere at the National Theatre in 2007, with record breaking runs on Broadway, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa and most recently China. It has won 25 awards including the Tony Award for Best Play on Broadway
War Horse is produced by the National Theatre – www.warhorseonstage.com, and tickets are available from the box office on 0844 847 1515 or online at www.brightoncentre.co.uk
