THIS is an exciting time for the Bristol Hippodrome, as it welcomes the National Theatre to its historic stage with its internationally acclaimed production of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse .

It is particularly appropriate for Associate Director Katie Henry, who grew up in Longlevens and attended Churchdown School, and who feels like she is bringing the production ‘home’ after a brilliantly successful tour of the UK and Ireland.

“It feels right to me, going out on a high in Bristol, where I came to see so many theatre shows and productions when I was growing up,” says Katie, talking to the Gazette.

“It has been the most amazing experience of my life but I think the time has come to take stock and work on some new challenges.”

But a career in the West End is not easy to come by, and the girl from Gloucestershire – still just 33 - has had to work hard make big sacrifices along the way.

“It was a lot of hard work for not a lot of money,” says Katie.

“I started off doing drama at school and was lucky enough to have a teacher who really believed in me. When I went off to London for drama school I never let anyone tell me that I couldn’t do it” laughs Katie.

“Having a family who were really supportive was important, too .”

“I worked my way up from the bottom. I started off working in the Box Office of the Orange Tree Theatre, where I learned my craft, and had many different roles before I got the call for War Horse. I had just come off a particularly difficult tour and was quite stressed at the time, but it still felt like a big stepping stone for me.

“I was training at the NT when War Horse was in its workshop stages. Once you’ve worked on it you kind of get sucked into it; I know its in my bones now. It’s a long old job but incredibly worthwhile, but I do think now is an appropriate time for me to stop.

“Nowadays I just get on with it, although it was incredibly daunting at first, standing there in front of thirty-five actors, telling them how they should do their job. New challenges get thrown at you all the time; there’s really nothing I haven’t had to deal with, but its all worthwhile.

“My job is to look at the whole picture and create a world for the audience that simply doesn’t exist."

And does Katie have any advice for any of the area’s budding directors, hoping for a West End career?

“Think Big! It’s really hard work and you have to be prepared to learn your craft and work from the ground up. Find a mentor –it’s important to have someone championing your cause - and see as much live theatre as possible. Immerse yourself in the industry, work hard and don’t give up because life is too short!"

The National Theatre’s production of War Horse makes its Bristol premiere tomorrow night, Wednesday January 15.