BBC Radio 3 Friday, 11 March 2016 War Horse

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 Friday, 11 March 2016 War Horse
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 31 Aug 25 - 06:20 PM

War Horse - The Reunion   
   - BBC Radio 4 - August 2025

   Michael Morpurgo’s novel War Horse is the story of a relationship between a young boy from Devon and his beloved horse Joey - as they’re plunged into the horrors of World War One.

When the book was first published in 1982, it was, in the words of its author, a 'publishing non-event'. Reviews were unenthusiastic and the chair of the Whitbread Prize told him that, while it was a good story, 'children just weren’t interested in history'.

In the years that followed, the book sold modestly and, at one stage, almost went out of print. But in October 2007, a stage adaption of Morpurgo’s story opened at the National Theatre.

It featured vivid battle scenes and extraordinary life-sized horses controlled by puppeteers, and was described as 'the theatrical event of the decade' by the Sunday Times, with an emotional impact that left its audiences sobbing.

More than 8 million people worldwide have seen that production, and it's won more than 25 major awards.

The show, together with the 2011 film directed by Steven Spielberg, meant that Michael Morpurgo’s book went from selling just a few hundred copies a year, to global sales of over 35 million, with translations in 37 different languages.

The National Theatre’s production brought puppetry into the theatrical mainstream and forced us to re-evaluate how we remember the First World War.

Joining Kirsty Wark are the writer of the original story of War Horse Michael Morpurgo, Robert Emms who played lead character Albert, Thusitha Jayasundera who played Albert’s mother, Rae Smith who designed the show, and puppeteer Toby Olié who brought Joey the horse to life.

Also, Tom Morris and Marianne Elliot who were co-directors of the original National Theatre production, and theatre critic and journalist Libby Purves who was an early enthusiast for the show.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002htcj
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Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 Friday, 11 March 2016 War Horse
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 12 Mar 16 - 08:38 AM

Thanks Henry, we will certainly plan to see it when it comes to Liverpool.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 Friday, 11 March 2016 War Horse
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 12 Mar 16 - 08:21 AM

The National Theatre's acclaimed production of War Horse, begins a major tour of the UK in 2017. Tickets go on sale to the public at each venue on 8 February 2016.

Marlowe Theatre Canterbury (15 September 2017 - 14 October 2017),
Bristol Hippodrome (18 October – 11 November 2017),
Empire Theatre Liverpool (15 November – 2 December 2017),
New Theatre Oxford (13 December 2017 – 6 January 2018),
Brighton Centre (25 January – 10 February 2018),
Bradford Alhambra Theatre (14 February – 10 March 2018) and
Nottingham Royal Concert Hall (14 March – 7 April 2018).

The tour of War Horse coincides with the Centenary commemorations of the end of the First World War and follows the production's enormously successful tour of the UK and Ireland in 2013-2014.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 Friday, 11 March 2016 War Horse
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 12 Mar 16 - 07:55 AM

This is a good thing of course, as the production will now tour the country so the rest of us can see it.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 Friday, 11 March 2016 War Horse
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 12 Mar 16 - 04:47 AM

I think it was about the last 7/8 minutes... Prog link FrontRow
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b072hlyp


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ed's.... Title should be r4 not r3

Subject: BBC Radio 4 Friday 11/3/2016 War Horse
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 11 Mar 16 - 02:09 PM

7:15 Friday 11/3/2016 BBC Radio 4 (Four!) Front Row

Includes Music of War Horse

Joey will gallop around the West End stage for the last time when War Horse ends, after 7 years, tomorrow night. The extraordinary puppetry has attracted a lot of attention, but crucial to the play's success has been the music.

This draws on folk song, which melds with classical orchestration. Director Tom Morris, and song-maker John Tams explain their approach, and Tim van Eyken, who was the original Songman in the National Theatre's production, plays and sings live in the Front Row studio.