Joey from War Horse visits the city ahead of its run at Liverpool Empire

Liverpool had a special visitor last week as Joey, the star of the National Theatre’s acclaimed production War Horse, trotted into town ahead of the show’s highly anticipated run at the Liverpool Empire Theatre from 8 – 19 April.

The life-sized puppet horse, operated by a team of talented puppeteers from War Horse, made stops at some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Museum of Liverpool and the Liver Building (where he even grabbed a quick selfie!).

Joey also paid his respects at Waiting: The Monument to the Liverpool Working Horse, a sculpture by the River Mersey that honours the city’s history with working horses.

As part of the visit, cast members and puppeteers from War Horse hosted an exclusive masterclass for the Liverpool Empire’s Youth Theatre, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how Joey comes to life on stage.

Tom Gilbey, War Horse movement and puppetry captain, said:

“It was very exciting to have Joey in Liverpool and see the public interacting with him.

“The show has enormous cultural and historical importance, so to bring it to a city that mirrors that is an amazing thing.”

We had a chat with Tom at the Museum of Liverpool, and got to meet Joey – watch below:

War Horse, based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, has become the National Theatre’s most successful play of all time. Adapted by Nick Stafford and originally directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, the production has won more than 25 major awards, including the Tony Award for Best Play, and has been seen by over 8.3 million people worldwide.

This new tour is co-produced by Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel, and Playing Field, and promises to be just as moving and visually stunning as ever.

War Horse takes audiences on an unforgettable journey from the peaceful fields of rural Devon to the harrowing trenches of First World War France, told through breathtaking puppetry and emotional storytelling.

Don’t miss your chance to experience this powerful theatrical event when War Horse arrives at the Liverpool Empire Theatre from 8 – 19 April

Get your tickets to see War Horse at Liverpool Empire here.

Find more events across Liverpool City Region here.