This book analyses the success and adaptation of Michael Morpurgos novel War Horse to stage, radio, live events, and feature film, in different cultures, on tours, and in translation. 

In under a decade, War Horse has gone from obscure childrens novel to arguably one of the worlds most recognisable theatrical brands, thanks to innovative puppet designs from South Africas Handspring Puppet Company in an acclaimed stage production from the National Theatre of Great Britain.

 

With emphasis on embodied spectatorship, collaborative meaning-making, and imaginative play, this book generates fresh insights into the enduring popularity of the franchises eponymous protagonist, Joey, offering the most in-depth study of War Horse to date. 

TobyMalone is a graduate of the University of Torontos Graduate Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies, and is currently a faculty memberat the University of Waterloo, Canada. Previous publications includeShakespeare Survey,Literature/Film Quarterly,CanadianTheatre Review,Borrowers and Lendersand The Routledge Companion toDramaturgy.

Christopher J.Jackman is a graduate of the University of Torontos Graduate Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies, and is an alumnus of Massey College,Canada. He is currently Chair of Arts and Design at Centennial College inToronto, has developed Centennials performing arts certificate programme, and remainsan active director and performer. 

Introduction. Playing the War Horse Game.-Chapter 1. We Get to Know Him.- Chapter 2. Making Fit.- Chapter 3. Spectatorship as Embodied Practice.- Chapter 4. Animated Horse-Play.- Chapter 5. Emotional Promises.- Chapter 6. Tour Horse.- Works Cited.