THE National Theatre’s hugely successful production of War Horse, based on Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling novel and co-directed by Bristol’s Tom Morris and NT Associate Director Marianne Elliot, will have its much anticipated Bristol premiere at The Bristol Hippodrome in January.

War Horse is the powerful story of a young boy called Albert and his beloved horse, Joey, who has been requisitioned to fight for the British 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. A remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship, War Horse features ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which brings breathing and galloping horses to life on stage.

Tom Morris, Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic is delighted the show is coming to Bristol: I'm absolutely thrilled that War Horse is coming to Bristol. When I arrived in the city in 2009, the thing I was most often asked was whether I would be bringing War Horse to Bristol. Of course I had to explain that the show simply wouldn't fit on the Old Vic Stage, but that I would do my best to bring Handspring to Bristol instead, which we did with the riotous Midsummer Night's Dream.

But now, finally, it's happening! Through the brilliant collaboration with the National Theatre, who continue to advocate powerfully for the importance of theatre in the regions and have been powerful allies of Bristol Old Vic since the Bristol Old Vic Company was founded in 1946, and Howard Panter's Ambassador Theatre Group – who already invest in the development of new writing and new musical theatre in Bristol and the South West. It is great news that War Horse will finally come to The Bristol Hippodrome in 2015.’

Based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, War Horse is adapted by Nick Stafford and presented in association with Cape Town’s Handspring Puppet Company. Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, it is designed by Rae Smith, lighting is 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. Alex Sims directs the tour with Katie Henry as associate director.

War Horse comes to the Bristol Hippodrome from Wednesday, January 14 to Saturday, February 14. For more details visit www.atgtickets.com/bristol