War Horse - Sketch Model

An early sketch model of 'War Horse' by Rae Smith. 'Sketch' or 'white card' models are created to give an outline of the proposed set. Textures, colours and details are added later, and a final model box is made to be presented to the actors, technical team, and the building and painting workshops. In the UK model boxes are usually made to 1:25 scale for the theatre.

Based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel and adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford, War Horse’s narrative travels from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. It was designed by Rae Smith with life-size puppets by the Handspring Puppet Company, and animated video projections by 59 Productions.

Designs and drawings by Rae Smith
Directed by Marianne Elliott & Tom Morris
From the novel 'War Horse' by Michael Morpurgo
Adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford
Puppet design and fabrication by Basil Jones & Adrian Kohler (Handspring Puppet Company)
Direction of movement and horse choreography by Toby Sedgwick
Lighting by Paule Constable
Music by Adrian Sutton
Music direction by Harvey Brough
Sound designs by Christopher Shutt
Animation, video & projections designs by Leo Warner & Mark Grimmer (59 Productions Ltd)

War Horse premiered at the National Theatre in London on the 17th October 2007 and continues to be performed around the world to the present day.

Location: Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre, London.
Length: 3 hours (including 20 minutes interval)

© Rae Smith