Novelist Michael Morpurgo Shares Origins of War Horse at Lincoln Center May 6

By Adam Hetrick
06 May 2012

Michael Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo

Lincoln Center Theater hosts an evening with War Horse novelist Michael Morpurgo, who shares his inspiration for the acclaimed tale of a young boy and his horse, May 6 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.

Morpurgo's novel for young readers, which was originally told from the point of view of the horse, Joey, was adapted into the hit international stage production War Horse by Nick Stafford (The Battle Royal, The Snow Queen).

Morpurgo will read excerpts from "War Horse" as part of the 7:30 PM evening that will alo include songs from the stage production.

An Evening with Michael Morpurgo: From Devon to Broadway, according to LCT, will begin with "tales of his childhood in bombed out London during World War II, to years later when during a chance conversation with a World War I veteran in a Devon pub he learned of the role of horses on the front lines of the Great War. This conversation inspired him to write a novel about World War I England, France and Germany seen through the eyes of its protagonist, a horse named Joey."

War Horse began performances in October 2007 at the National's Olivier Theatre where it continued in repertory for a sold-out run through March 2009. The production transferred to the West End's New London Theatre March 28, 2009, where it continues to run. The Broadway production opened to acclaim April 14, 2011, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, earning the Tony Award for Best Play. Steven Spielberg also adapted Morpurgo's property into the 2011 film. Read Playbill.com's earlier feature about Morpurgo's walk-on role in the Broadway production, and his feelings about the stage and film versions.

Playbill Vault, the internet's most comprehensive database of Broadway information, has more about War Horse.

A Toronto production of War Horse plays the Princess of Wales Theatre, with a 20-city national tour set to launch at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles June 13-July 22.

War Horse features a series of life-sized equestrian puppets, which have the capability of strikingly lifelike movement. Each evocative creature (created by Handspring Puppet Company) is manipulated by an on-stage crew of three puppeteers who give life to a horse named Joey, as he grows from a skittish foal into a full-grown horse.

For tickets to An Evening with Michael Morpurgo: From Devon to Broadway, priced $15, visit Telecharge.com or LCT.org.