Overview
Synopsis
In 1912, a young foal is sold at auction. He quickly develops a friendship with Albert, the teen who trains him and names him Joey. But only a few years later, the Great War erupts on the European continent, and Joey is sold into the British army. Over the next four years, Joey serves first the British army, and then the German regiments. At the same time, Albert is desperately trying to find his horse, even enlisting in the army to do so. A story of loyalty and bravery, Nick Stafford’s War Horse (based on Michael Morpugo’s 1982 novel) is a striking tale that honors the bonds between man and animal.
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Context
The novel War Horse by Michael Morpurgo was initially published in 1982. The author was inspired by a World War I veteran that he met at a local pub. Wilfred Ellis had worked with horses in the war, and Morpurgo began to think about telling a war story from a horse’s point of view. Morpurgo also saw a painting depicting soldiers riding into battle on horseback. From these sources, the story of Joey and War Horse took shape and became a best-selling novel.
More than 20 years later,
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ACT ONE
On August 5, 1912, a foal and his mother (Alice) graze in the Devon countryside. Suddenly, men arrive with fences, corralling and separating the horses. An auction suddenly begins, run by local leader Chapman Carter. He quickly sells Alice, who fights as she is led away from her foal. During the break between sales, Albert Narracott arrives. He tries to call the foal. The animal is nervous, but slowly responds until Albert’s father Ted shows up--drunk, as usual. When Arthur and Ned
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Character Portrayals
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Key Terms
Physical actions performed onstage, including gestures, dance, and blocking. Movement supports storytelling and enhances character expression and pacing.
An original text or artifact from the period being studied, used in dramaturgy or research to build authenticity.
Spectacle refers to the visual elements of a production that create wonder and excitement through design, movement, or scale. This might include elaborate costumes, dazzling choreography, special effects, or impressive sets. Spectacle often heightens the theatrical experience by leaving audiences with vivid visual impressions alongside the story and music.
A global conflict (1914–1918) often dramatized in plays to explore trauma, nationalism, loss, and societal transformation.
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress