War Horse

Winner of five 2011 Tony Awards, the National Theatre of London’s epic War Horse will be rebroadcast at the Manship Theatre twice today. The production, which is based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel of the same name, is also the inspiration for the Steven Spielberg feature film. War Horse is the story of young Albert’s beloved horse, Joey, who has been enlisted to fight for the English in World War I. Joey is caught in enemy crossfire and ends up serving both sides of the war before landing in no man’s land. Albert, not old enough to enlist, embarks on a treacherous mission to find his horse and bring him home. What follows is an arresting tale of courage, loyalty, and friendship filled with music and told with a great deal of innovative stagecraft. The production is presented in association with Handspring Puppet Company, which is responsible for the life-sized puppets which bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to life on stage. 2 pm and 7 pm. $14.50. manshiptheatre.org.