War Horse Gallops into Cardiff This Autumn

The National Theatre’s multi-award-winning masterpiece returns to the stage, don’t miss its unmissable run at Wales Millennium Centre this October.

War Horse at Wales Millennium Centre

Prepare to be swept off your feet. One of the most powerful and visually stunning productions in theatre history, War Horse, is making a triumphant return and it’s coming to Cardiff this Autumn. The internationally acclaimed production, seen by over 8.3 million people across 97 cities worldwide, will run at the iconic Wales Millennium Centre from 15 to 25 October 2025. And with tickets expected to sell out fast, this is your cue to saddle up and book now.

Adapted by Nick Stafford from Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, War Horse has become a cultural phenomenon since its 2007 debut at the National Theatre. Originally directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, the play has earned more than 25 major awards, including Olivier and Tony accolades. Now, an all-new tour, co-produced by the National Theatre alongside Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel, and Playing Field, brings the heart-wrenching story back to UK audiences.

At the centre of the drama is Joey, a horse sold to the cavalry at the outbreak of the First World War. Torn from his young owner Albert, Joey journeys through the battlefields of France, caught in the chaos and carnage of war. Albert, too young to enlist, sets out on a dangerous mission to bring his beloved companion home.

War Horse at Wales Millennium Centre

What makes War Horse unlike anything else on stage? It’s the astonishing puppetry by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company. Their life-sized horses breathe, gallop and thunder with such realism that audiences forget they’re puppets. Combined with a haunting score, traditional folk songs and Rae Smith’s evocative set design, the result is an experience that is as emotionally resonant as it is visually breathtaking.

Director Tom Morris, who helped shape the original production, is thrilled to be bringing it back.

“It is a huge privilege to be invited to revisit War Horse and to share this powerful story once more with audiences around the country.  Michael Morpurgo’s brilliant idea, to explore the crushing violence of war through the experience of a horse, makes his story as powerful and resonant today as it has ever been.   And in this time of increasing commercialism in theatre, it’s worth remembering that the production which carried War Horse to an international audience was a wild experiment, developed through workshops at the National Theatre Studio, the unique theatre laboratory where ground-breaking hits from Coram Boy and London Road to The Witches were devised.   It has been an enormous thrill to return there in recent months to reunite Adrian Kohler’s magnificent puppets with designer Rae Smith, composer Adrian Sutton and other members of the original cast and creative team to start the process of bringing Joey back to the stage.”

War Horse at Wales Millennium Centre

For Morpurgo himself, the revival is deeply personal.

“I am so delighted the National Theatre’s iconic production of War Horse is back!  When Covid closed the show down in 2020 in Australia in the midst of its second World Tour, many thought, and I was amongst them, that we’d never see War Horse on stage again.  Now it’s really happening - we will hear the music and songs, be amazed by its design and lighting, live Joey’s story again.  War Horse is about the tragedy of war and about a horse and his boy, but it’s also so many other things - it’s about family and community, courage and loss, hope, and most importantly reconciliation.”

The tour coincides with the 110th anniversary of the First World War and the 40th anniversary of Morpurgo’s bestselling novel, which has sold over 35 million copies in 37 languages. This milestone production promises not just a theatrical event, but a moment of reflection, remembrance, and awe.

War Horse at Wales Millennium Centre

Executive Director of the National Theatre, Kate Varah, summed up the excitement:

“We are delighted that we are able to launch this major new UK tour of War Horse.  This moving and spectacular production has captured the imagination of millions of audience members across the world since it was first performed on the Olivier stage in 2007 and we are deeply appreciative and excited, to be working with our co-producers to make this possible in the current landscape.  We look forward to connecting with our partner venues with this much-loved story, that appeals to all ages and which beautifully showcases the magic of live performance.”

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or experiencing it for the first time, this is your chance to witness a theatrical landmark.

War Horse is at Wales Millennium Centre 15 - 25 October 2025, get your tickets here www.wmc.org.uk.