Morpurgo's 1982 children's novel "War Horse" became the inspiration for the Tony and Olivier Award-winning drama, which is now launching productions across the globe since its 2007 debut. His 1997 novel "Farm Boy" traces the lives of Albert and his beloved horse Joey in the decades that follow the Great War.
Daniel Buckroyd, who adapted Farm Boy for the stage, will also direct the New York premiere of the New Perspectives Theatre Company production that will run through Jan. 1, 2012. John Walters and Richard Pryal will star.
Farm Boy is described as "a moving account of the changing face of the English countryside and a beautifully-crafted reminder that stories really can reach out across the generations. This magical tale of the bonds between grandfather and grandson is brought to life in this delightful show combining drama, storytelling and original music."
The festival will also present the New York premiere of Tony-winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn's Neighbourhood Watch, which will run Nov. 30-Jan. 1, 2012. The playwright will direct his new comedy that features Eileen Battye, Terence Booth, Phil Cheadle, Matthew Cottle, Richard Derrington, Frances Grey, Amy Loughton and Alexandra Mathie.
Here's how Neighbourhood Watch is billed: "Things are not right on The Bluebell Hill Development. Theft, petty crime, vandalism, all the ills of modern suburban existence are on the increase. Newcomers Martin and his sister Hilda are the crime wave’s latest victims and resolve to take action. After all, the law of the land, all that's right and proper and even God Himself are surely on their side. But what starts out as a well intentioned neighborhood watch scheme soon develops into something altogether more sinister." Additional New York premieres include Three British Solos, comprising of Jack Thorne's Bunny, Nicholas Pierpan's The Maddening Rain and James Gaddas' Shadow Boxing, which will run Nov. 1-20.
BBC New Comedy Award-winning ventriloquist Nina Conti will offer Talk to the Hand Nov. 8-13; and Ryan Kiggell's adaptation of George Orwell's first novel Burmese Days, about life in colonial Burma, will follow Nov. 9-Dec. 4.
Two men share a mysterious past in The Door, Tony Earnshaw's drama, that will run Nov. 22-Dec. 11; and Robert Farquhar's Kissing Sid James, about two lonely hearts on a seaside weekend, will run Dec. 13-Jan. 1, 2012.
59E59 Theaters, at 59 E. 59th Street, is run by Elysabeth Kleinhans (artistic director) and Peter Tear (executive producer).
Single ticket prices range $25- $60. Tickets to Brits Off Broadway are available by phoning (212) 279-4200 or online at www.59e59.org. For more information on Brits Off Broadway, visit www.britsoffbroadway.com.
