the Arts Centre

Since its world premiere in London in 2007, War Horse has won numerous prestigious awards including two Laurence Olivier Awards, five Tony Awards and four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards amongst a host of others. It has played to packed houses at London’s National Theatre, the West End’s New London Theatre and New York’s Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Centre.

Nick Stafford’s stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s book, War Horse is a magnificent drama, which tells the heart-wrenching story of Joey, the beloved horse of a boy named Albert, who is sold to the cavalry at the outbreak of World War I and shipped to France.  He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land.  But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.

At its heart are astonishing life-size puppets, created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to life on the stage, their flanks, hides and sinews built of steel, leather and aircraft cables. Actors, working with these dynamic puppets, will lead Australian audiences on an emotionally charged journey through history.

“A landmark theatre event!” – Time Magazine USA