The tour will commence in Devon, the setting and inspiration for Michael Morpurgo's book on which it is based, beginning performances at Plymouth's Theatre Royal Sept. 27, then touring to Birmingham Hippodrome; The Lowry in Salford Quays; the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh; The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton; Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin; Sunderland Empire; the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford; and the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

In a press statement, National Theatre producer Chris Harper commented, "We are delighted that our production of War Horse, which is currently running in London, New York, Toronto and is on a US Tour, with future productions in Australia and Berlin, will soon be seen by audiences all over the UK and Dublin.  War Horse comes home."

Based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford and presented in association with Handspring Puppet Company, War Horse is directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris. It is designed by Rae Smith, with lighting by Paule Constable and movement and horse choreography by Toby Sedgwick. The puppetry directors are Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, with video design by 59 Productions Ltd, song-making by John Tams, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Christopher Shutt.

It tells the story of a "young boy called Albert and his beloved horse, Joey, who has been requisitioned to fight for the English in World War I. Caught in enemy crossfire, Joey ends up serving on both sides during the war before landing in no man's land, while Albert, not old enough to enlist, embarks on a treacherous mission to find his horse and bring him home."

For further details, full tour dates and to book tickets, visit www.warhorseonstage.com.