War Horse

War Horse at the National Theatre, London

The global phenomenon gallops home. Nearly two decades after its world premiere on the same stage, War Horse returns to the National Theatre's Olivier for a strictly limited season from 16 May to 30 July 2026. Based on Michael Morpurgo's beloved novel and adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford, this is the production that redefined what theatre can be, winning five Tony Awards including Best Play, two Olivier Awards and more than 25 major international prizes. Over 8.8 million people have seen it worldwide. Now London gets another chance.

What Is War Horse About?

At the outbreak of the First World War, young Albert Narracott's beloved horse Joey is sold to the cavalry and shipped across the Channel to France. Albert is too young to enlist but refuses to give up. He embarks on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the mud and chaos of the Western Front, determined to find Joey and bring him home. War Horse is a story of friendship, courage and loyalty that crosses borders and species, set against the vast tragedy of a conflict that changed the world.

War Horse Puppets by Handspring Puppet Company

The real stars of War Horse are the astonishing life-sized horse puppets created by South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company. Each horse is operated by three puppeteers working in remarkable unison, and within moments of the first scene you forget the operators are there entirely. Joey breathes, twitches his ears, stamps and charges with startling realism. The puppeteers spent time at stables studying how horses move so that every gesture feels authentic. It is some of the most extraordinary stagecraft you will see anywhere in the world, and the Olivier's vast open stage gives the production room to soar.

War Horse 2026 Cast and Creative Team

This revival is directed by Tom Morris with revival direction by Katie Henry. The creative team includes set and costume designer Rae Smith, puppet designer Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company, lighting designer Rob Casey, movement and horse choreography director Toby Sedgwick, and puppetry director Matthew Forbes. Additional music is by Adrian Sutton, with songs by John Tams and sound design by Christopher Shutt. Animation and projection design is by 59 Productions. The production is co-produced by the National Theatre, Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel and Playing Field.

National Theatre Olivier, South Bank London

The Olivier is the largest of the National Theatre's three stages, with a fan-shaped open stage that brings audiences closer to the action than you might expect for a 1,100-seat auditorium. Located on the South Bank of the Thames, the National Theatre is a short walk from Waterloo station (served by the Jubilee, Northern and Bakerloo lines). The building also houses restaurants, bars, a bookshop and open foyer spaces with free exhibitions, making it an ideal spot to arrive early and soak in the atmosphere before the show.

Book War Horse Tickets

This is a strictly limited run and the first time War Horse has played the Olivier since its original 2007 premiere. Whether you saw it back then and want to experience it again, or this will be your first time, don't wait. Book your War Horse tickets on tickadoo and witness the production that has moved millions.