War Horse (Play) Plot & Characters

Back to

Shows

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.

Show Information

Book: Nick Stafford

Based on the Play/Book/Film: The novel War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

Category: Play

Age Guidance: Thirteen Plus (PG-13)

Number of Acts: 2

First Produced: 2007

Genres: Drama, Historical/Biographical

Settings: Period, Multiple Settings

Time & Place: England, France, 1912-1918

Cast Size: large

Orchestra Size: None

Dancing: None

Licensor: See CONTEXT AND/OR LINKS TAB

Ideal For: Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Late Teen, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen Characters

Lead Characters

Joey (3)

Lead, Male, Non-singer

War Horse

Albert Narracott

Lead, Male, Non-singer

War Horse

Ted Narracott

Supporting, Male, Non-singer

War Horse

View all characters in War Horse

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,

Hello Stranger!

Already a Member? Log in

Plot

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

Hello Stranger!

Already a Member? Log in

Characters

Name	Part Size	Gender	Vocal Part
Joey (3)	Lead	Male	Non-singer
Albert Narracott	Lead	Male	Non-singer
Ted Narracott	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Topthorn (3)	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Rose Narracott	Supporting	Female	Non-singer
Major Nicholls	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Arthur Warren	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Ned Warren	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Captain Stewart	Supporting	Male
Friedrich Muller	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Chapman Carter	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Sergeant Greig	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Sergeant Bone	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Sergeant Thunder	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
David Taylor	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Lance Corporal Karl	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Doctor Schweyk	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Paulette	Supporting	Female	Non-singer
Emilie	Supporting	Female	Non-singer
Sergeant Fine	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Rudi	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Geordie	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Manfred	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Veterinary Officer Martin	Supporting	Male	Non-singer
Horses (3-12)	Supporting	Either Gender	Non-singer
Veterinary Officer Bright	Featured	Male	Non-singer
Stein	Featured	Male	Non-singer
Colonel Strauss	Featured	Male	Non-singer
Sergeant Klebb	Featured	Male	Non-singer
Sentry Shaw	Featured	Male	Non-singer
Schmidt	Featured	Male	Non-singer
Ludwig	Featured	Male	Non-singer
Major Callaghan	Featured	Male	Non-singer
Villagers, Soldiers	Ensemble	Either Gender	Non-singer

Monologues

Start: You don’t need to fea...

(Albert Narracott)

War Horse

Video

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

Start: ALBERT: Fritz your way...

(Albert Narracott David Taylor)

War Horse

Start: ALBERT: Yes he did [ki...

(Albert Narracott Major Nicholls)

War Horse

Start: MANFRED: *(with noises...

(Geordie Manfred)

War Horse

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Movement

The embodiment of intentions through actions; also one of the primary elements of visual design that helps determine how a costume will move with an actor.

Technical Theatre Acting & Singing

Primary Source

Sources that provide firsthand evidence or testimony about a topic.

Literary

Spectacle

Visually striking and impactful elements of a performance.

Technical Theatre Ancient Greek Musical Theatre Epic Theatre

World War One

Also called "The Great War," a conflict between the Central Powers (including Germany and the Austria-Hungary Empire, among others) against the Allied Powers (including England, France, the United States, and others). The war began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914, and lasted until the Armistice of November 11, 1918.