Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The Canadian production of the National Theatre of Great Britain’s international phenomenon WAR HORSE will conclude its Toronto run on January 6, 2013 at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The production has set a record in Canada as the longest-running professional drama of all time. At the time of closing, the production will have played 368 performances.
A final block of tickets for performances from November 4, 2012 through January 6, 2013 is now available for sale through TicketKing at 416-872-1212 or www.mirvish.com.
The National Theatre’s WAR HORSE Producer Chris Harper states: “We are absolutely thrilled that Toronto audiences have embraced WAR HORSE, helping the show to set Canadian theatrical records.
“The Canadian cast and crew have brought the show to epic life in the beautiful Princess of Wales Theatre and I’m sure that audience records will continue to be broken in the show’s final twelve weeks in Toronto.
“From its humble origins as a National Theatre of Great Britain workshop project, WAR HORSE has become a national and international phenomenon – this month celebrating its fifth anniversary in London, currently on Broadway and a US tour, with future productions planned for Australia and Berlin, as well as a tour of the UK and Ireland.”
David Mirvish states: “In 2007, a large group of our subscribers saw the original WAR HORSE at the National in London and raved about it. Since then it was our dream to produce the show in Toronto with an all-Canadian cast and crew. We have made that dream a reality and we couldn’t be prouder of this magnificent production.
“Of course none of this would have been possible without our good friends at the National Theatre and the visionary producers Bob Boyett and Tim Levy.
“It’s been an amazing year for WAR HORSE in Toronto and we want to thank the local audience for going on the adventure with us.”
WAR HORSE in Toronto won the Audience Choice Award at this year’s Dora Mavor Moore Awards, where it also picked up Doras for Best Costume Design and Best Choreography/Movement.
ABOUT THE STORY & PRODUCTION
Set at the dawn of World War I, WAR HORSE tells the powerful and uplifting story of young Albert, his beloved horse Joey, and the unimaginable obstacles they overcome both individually and together. At the heart of the show are life-sized puppets, which bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage. Filled with stirring music and some of the most innovative stagecraft of our time, WAR HORSE is a remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship, and an unforgettable theatrical experience.
WAR HORSE received its World Premiere in a limited engagement at the National’s Olivier Theatre in 2007. The play returned to the National Theatre for a second run playing from in 2008-2009 before transferring to the West End’s New London Theatre in Spring 2009 where it continues its sold out open-ended run.
WAR HORSE has won over 15 international awards including five Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a special Tony Award for the Handspring Puppet Company, a citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle, a special Drama Desk Award to the Creative Team for Thrilling Stagecraft and a special Outer Critics Circle Award to the Handspring Puppet Company.
WAR HORSE is produced in Toronto by the National Theatre of Great Britain, Bob Boyett, David Mirvish and National Angels. The production is based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford in association with Handspring Puppet Company. Morpurgo’s novel was also the inspiration for Steven Spielberg’s feature film of the same name, which was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture.
The original direction is by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris; with sets, costumes and drawings by Rae Smith; puppetry design, fabrication and direction by Adrian Kohler with Basil Jones for Handspring Puppet Company; and lighting by Paul Constable.
WAR HORSE in Toronto is sponsored by the National Bank of Canada.
“AN ABSOLUTE TRIUMPH!
It's hard to think of a stage production with more cross-generational appeal. It’s for everyone.
This is a brilliant and simple gem.” Jian Ghomeshi, CBC Q
" MAGICAL! FANTASTIC!
IT ENCHANTS AND STIRS THE SOUL! J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail
"TRIUMPHANT! GALLOPS OFF TO VICTORY!" Robert Cushman, National Post
" * * * * (out of 5) MAGICAL!”
John Coulbourn, Toronto Sun
WAR HORSE now playing through JANUARY 6, 2013
The Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. West, Toronto
For Tickets:
www.mirvish.com OR 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333
Tickets from $35 - $130
Rush Tickets $29
Recommended for ages 10+
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
TUES – SAT 7:30PM, WED, SAT & SUN 1:30PM
ADDED PERFORMANCES:
THR OCT 25 1:30PM / THR NOV 01 1:30PM / THR NOV 08 1:30PM/
THR NOV 22 1:30PM / THR DEC 06 1:30PM
NO PERFORMANCES:
TUE OCT 23 7:30PM/ WED OCT 31 7:30PM / TUE NOV 06 7:30PM /
TUE NOV 20 7:30PM/ TUE DEC 04 7:30PM
HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
WED DEC 26 7:30PM/ THR DEC 27 1:30PM AND 7:30PM/ FRI DEC 28 7:30PM/
SAT DEC 29 1:30PM AND 7:30PM/ SUN DEC 30 1:30PM AND 7:30PM/
WED JAN 02 1:30PM AND 7:30PM/ THR JAN 03 1:30PM AND 7:30PM/
FRI JAN 04 7:30PM/ SAT JAN 05 1:30PM AND 7:30PM / SUN JAN 06 1:30PM
NO PERFORMANCES:
TUES DEC 25 7:30PM / WED DEC 26 1:30PM/
TUES JAN 01 7:30PM
2012-10-16
Toronto: “War Horse” is extended to January 6, 2013