War Horse returns to the National Theatre – exclusive first look

Take a look at photos from the National Theatre’s production of War Horse, which returns to the Olivier stage this summer and plays until 30 July 2026.

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford and originally directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, the production returns to its original home nearly two decades after its debut, following a recent tour of the UK and Ireland.

The show has become the most successful play in the National Theatre’s history, winning more than 25 major awards including the Tony Award for Best Play, and has been seen by over 8.8 million people worldwide.

The story follows Albert and his horse Joey against the backdrop of the First World War, charting a journey from rural Devon to the trenches of France. It is staged using life-sized puppets created by Handspring Puppet Company, with music by Adrian Sutton and songs by John Tams.

The cast includes Tom Sturgess as Albert Narracott, with Jo Castleton as Rose Narracott and Stephen Beckett as Ted Narracott. The company also features Anita Adam Gabay, Rianna Ash, Eloise Beaumont-Wood, Ike Bennett, Owen Dagnall, Alexandra Donnachie, Felicity Donnelly, Sam Goodchild, Danny Hendrix, Jasmin Hinds, Linford Johnson, Andrew Keay, Nicholas Khan, Manuel Klein, Michael Larcombe, Matthew Lawrence, Madeleine Leslay, Wade Lewin, Jack Lord, Damian Lynch, Lewis McBean, Chris Milford, Corey Montague-Sholay, Jordan Paris, Anne-Marie Piazza, Daniel Rock, Simon Stanhope, Sally Swanson, Lucy Thorburn, Chris Williams, Niko Wirachman and Rafe Young.

This tour revival of War Horse is created by director Tom Morris with revival director Katie Henry, drawings, set and costume designer Rae Smith, puppet designer Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company, lighting designer Rob Casey, director of movement and horse choreography Toby Sedgwick, puppetry director Matthew Forbes, animation and projection design by 59 Studio.

Music is by Adrian Sutton with songmaker John Tams, sound designer Christopher Shutt and music director Dom Coyote.  Casting is by Jill Green with Paul Benzing as fight director, Rebecca Daltry as dialect coach and Cathleen McCarron and Shereen Ibrahim as voice coaches.

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 associate sound designer, Emma Laxton as associate sound designer, and Olivia Laydon and Tom Shiels as casting associates.

The production is recommended for ages ten and above.