National Theatre at Home: War Horse

The story

At the outbreak of the First World War, young Albert's beloved horse Joey is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. Too young to enlist, Albert refuses to forget him, embarking on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of wartime France – determined to bring Joey home. Based on Michael Morpurgo's beloved novel, War Horse is a timeless story of love, courage and friendship, brought to life by astonishing life-sized horses from Handspring Puppet Company and a stirring musical score. Following a sell-out national tour, the Tony Award–winning global sensation returns to where it all began, nearly two decades after its debut at the National Theatre for this 2026 revival production.

Cast & crew

Anita Adam GabayJoey as a Foal / Emilie / Understudy Shaw

Rianna AshJoey / Topthorn Head

Eloise Beaumont-WoodJoey as a Foal / Understudies: Emilie/Nell Allen/Private Schnabel/Jenny Bone/Annie Gilbert

Ike BennettDavid Taylor / Thomas Bone / Understudy Private Geordie

Jo CastletonRose Narracott

Owen DagnallPrivate Geordie / Alternate Albert Narracott / Understudies: Joey as a Foal/Captain Klebb/Billy Narracott

Alexandra DonnachieJoey / Topthorn Head

Felicity DonnellyJoey / Topthorn Hind / The Goose

Sam GoodchildJoey / Topthorn Hind / The Goose

Danny HendrixVet Ofc Martin / Roberts / Un's: Col Strauss/Dav Taylor/Tom Bone/Cav Cap Fried Müller/Sgt Mart Allan/Chap Charles Carter

Jasmin HindsMatron Callaghan / Understudies: Rose Narracott/Paulette/Sarah Carter/Nell Allen

Linford JohnsonSergeant Fine / Understudies: David Taylor/Thomas Bone/Captain Stewart/Ludwig/Major James Nicholls/Doctor Schweyk