蜜芽传媒

Michael Morpurgo鈥檚 novel War Horse is the story of a relationship between a young boy from Devon and his beloved horse Joey - as they鈥檙e 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鈥檛 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 mother, Rae Smith who designed the show, and puppeteer Toby Oli茅 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.

Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Producer: Karen Pirie
Editor: David Prest
A Whistledown production for 蜜芽传媒 Radio 4

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