Full War Horse cast revealed for National Theatre return

War Horse will return to the National Theatre later this spring, and casting has been confirmed.

Based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel, the play is adapted by Nick Stafford and was originally directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris. Since its debut in 2007, War Horse has become the most commercially successful production in the National Theatre’s history, winning more than 25 major awards, including the Tony Award for Best Play, and playing to audiences of over 8.8 million worldwide.

The story is set at the outbreak of the First World War and follows a young boy, Albert, whose horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry and sent to France. Unable to enlist, Albert sets out on a journey from rural Devon to the battlefields of Europe in an attempt to find and bring Joey home.

Almost 20 years after its premiere, the show will run on the venue’s Olivier stage from 16 May to 30 July 2026, with an opening night set for 2 June.

The full cast of 35 includes Anita Adam Gabay (Emilie/Joey as a Foal), Rianna Ash (Joey/Topthorn head), Eloise Beaumont-Wood (Joey as a Foal), Stephen Beckett (Ted Narracott/Strauss), Ike Bennett (David Taylor/Thomas Bone), Jo Castleton (Rose Narracott), Owen Dagnall (Geordie/Alternate Albert), Alexandra Donnachie (Joey/Topthorn head), Felicity Donnelly (Joey/Topthorn hind) and Sam Goodchild (Joey/Topthorn hind).

It also features Danny Hendrix (Vet Martin), Jasmin Hinds (Matron Callaghan), Linford Johnson (Sergeant Fine), Andrew Keay (Joey/Topthorn hind), Nicholas Khan (Arthur Narracott/Brandt), Manuel Klein (Friedrich/Priest), Michael Larcombe (Joey/Topthorn hind), Matthew Lawrence (Joey/Topthorn head), Madeleine Leslay (Paulette/Sarah Carter), Wade Lewin (Joey/Topthorn head), Jack Lord (Klausen/Allan), Damian Lynch (Thunder/Carter), Lewis McBean (Joey/Topthorn heart), Chris Milford (Joey/Topthorn heart), Corey Montague-Sholay (Billy Narracott/Klebb), Jordan Paris (Joey as a Foal), Anne-Marie Piazza (Nell Allan/Schnabel), Daniel Rock (Captain Stewart/Ludwig), Simon Stanhope (Manfred), Tom Sturgess (Albert Narracott), Sally Swanson (The Singer), Lucy Thorburn (Jenny Bone/Annie Gilbert), Christopher Williams (Captain Nicholls/Dr Schewyk), Niko Wirachman (Joey/Topthorn heart) and Rafe Young (Joey/Topthorn heart).

The revival is created by director 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, puppetry director Matthew Forbes, and animation and projection designers Nicol Scott and Ben Pearcy for 59. Music is by Adrian Sutton with songs by John Tams, sound design by Christopher Shutt, and music direction by Dom Coyote. Casting is by Jill Green, with Paul Benzing as fight director and Rebecca Daltry as dialect coach.

Completing the team are Anna Marshall as associate director, William Fricker as associate set designer, Johanna Coe as associate costume designer, Tom Turner as associate lighting designer, Lewis Howard as associate puppetry director, Matthew Gough as music associate, Rob Bettle for Sound Quiet Time as co-associate sound designer, Emma Laxton as co-associate sound designer and Olivia Laydon and Tom Shiels as casting associates.

See the rest of the 2026 season.