The National Theatre has revealed the cast for the final leg of the 2025 War Horse UK tour.
Based on Michael Morpurgo’s bestselling novel, the UK and Ireland tour began at New Wimbledon Theatre in London in September 2024 and will conclude at Norwich Theatre Royal on 8 November 2025.
A new cast takes over from 10 July, beginning performances at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham, before continuing to New Wimbledon Theatre, London (5–16 August), Leeds Grand Theatre (19 August–6 September), Newcastle Theatre Royal (10–20 September), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (2–11 October), Wales Millennium Centre (15–20 October), and finally Norwich Theatre Royal (28 October–8 November).
Joining the company are Danny Hendrix (101 Dalmatians, UK Tour) as Veterinary Officer Martin, Clara Lioe (The Three Musketeers, New Vic Theatre) as Emilie / Joey as a Foal and Christopher Naylor (The Woman in Black, Fortune Theatre) as Private Klausen / Priest.
The remaining cast are: Tom Sturgess (Albert Narracott), Alexander Ballinger (Captain Friedrich Müller/Allan), Ike Bennett (David Taylor/Thomas Bone), Haydn Burke (Billy Narracott/Sergeant Klebb), Sophie Cartman (Matron Callaghan), Jo Castleton (Rose Narracott), Owen Dagnall (Alternate Albert Narracott / Geordie), Tom Gilbey (Sergeant Fine and Movement & Puppetry Captain), Karl Haynes (Ted Narracott), Madeleine Leslay (Paulette/Sarah Carter), Damian Lynch (Carter/Strauss), Jordan Paris (Joey as a Foal and Co-Fight Captain), Anne-Marie Piazza (Nell Allan/Schnabel and Song Captain), Gareth Radcliffe (Arthur Narracott/Sergeant Thunder), Daniel Rock (Captain Stewart/Ludwig), Simon Stanhope (Manfred), Sally Swanson (The Singer), Lucy Thorburn (Jenny Bone/Annie Gilbert), Chris Williams (Lieutenant Nicholls/Dr Schweyk and Voice Captain) and Eloise Beaumont-Wood (Joey as a Foal).
The role of Joey and Topthorn will be performed by Rianna Ash (Joey/Topthorn Head), Tom Quinn (Joey/Topthorn Head), Matthew Lawrence (Joey/Topthorn Head), Tea Poldervaart (Joey/Topthorn Head), Chris Milford (Joey/Tophorn Heart and Co-Fight Captain), Rafe Young (Joey/Topthorn Heart), Lewis McBean (Joey/Topthorn Heart), Robin Hayward (Joey/Topthorn Heart), Michael Larcombe (Joey/Topthorn Hind), Felicity Donnelly (Joey/Topthorn Hind), Thomas Goodridge (Joey/Topthorn Hind), Gun Suen (Joey/Topthorn Hind).
War Horse – Rehearsal photos
Production photos from original cast
War Horse, adapted by Nick Stafford and originally directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, has become the most successful play in the history of the National Theatre, winning more than 25 major awards and has been seen by over 8.3 million people worldwide. This new tour is co-produced with Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel, and Playing Field.
The creative team of War Horse is led by Tom Morris, with revival director Katie Henry, and features reimagined designs by Rae Smith and additional music by Adrian Sutton.
Lighting design for the tour is by Rob Casey, with additional new lighting by UK design studio Ammonite. Animation and projection design by Nicol Scott for 59 Productions has been redesigned for this new production, the first since the show’s original debut.
Additional music is by Adrian Sutton, and puppet design and fabrication is by Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company. Movement and horse choreography is by Toby Sedgwick with puppet direction by Matthew Forbes. John Tams is songmaker and sound design is by Christopher Shutt. Casting is by Jill Green CDG. They are joined by associate designer Will Fricker and associate costume designer Johanna Coe; associate lighting designer Tom Turner; associate sound designer Rob Bettle, assistant sound designer Raffaela Pancucci, musical director Dom Coyote, voice coach Carol Fairlamb, dialect coach Rebecca Daltry, resident director Anna Marshall and assistant puppetry director Lewis Howard.
The tour of War Horse marks 110 years since the start of the First World War and follows the 40th anniversary of the publication of Michael Morpurgo’s global best-selling novel, which has now sold over 35 million copies worldwide and in 37 different languages.
The show is co-produced with Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel, and Playing Field.
Book tickets to WAR HORSE – UK & Ireland Tour
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