Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

War Horse at the Proms

A production of War Horse with the Proms Military Wives Choir, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra, the Cambiata Choir North West, the National Theatre Ensemble and the Handspring Puppets.

A major new musical adaptation of the international hit War Horse, created by the National Theatre for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms.

Simon Russell Beale presents the unique production at the Royal Albert Hall with Gareth Malone's Proms Military Wives Choir, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra and the Cambiata Choir North West, alongside the National Theatre Ensemble with the astonishing Handspring Puppets. There's even a role for writer Michael Morpurgo as himself.

Composer Adrian Sutton's War Horse Suite traces the story of Joey the horse from birth to death, the specially commissioned Some See Us is a haunting tribute to the young men slaughtered in World War I, and his elegiac Only Remembered bookends the show. Interweaved is music from composers influenced by the war, including Holst, Elgar and Ravel.

Simon Russell Beale goes behind the scenes as the production takes shape at rehearsals with National Theatre director Melly Still, Joey the horse journeys across the river from London's Southbank to the Royal Albert Hall, and Michael Morpurgo reflects on this latest incarnation of his much-loved tale.

The imaginative staging projects live action and archive footage on to screens hung like tattered flags, and there are dramatic entrances, audience participation and a few surprises, adding up to an exciting and intensely moving show.

1 hour, 20 minutes

Music Played

  • Ira D Sankey, orch. Adrian Sutton, arr. John Tams

    Only Remembered

    Performer: Tim van Eyken, Proms Military Wives Choir. Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.
  • Frank Bridge

    Summer

    Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.
  • Gustav Holst

    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ they brought her warrier dead

    Performer: Proms Military Wives Choir, Gareth Malone. Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.
  • Edward Elgar

    Two Partsongs, Op 26 - The Snow

    Performer: Proms Military Wives Choir, Gareth Malone. Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.
  • Gustav Holst

    Ave Maria

    Performer: Proms Military Wives Choir, Gareth Malone. Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.
  • Adrian Sutton

    War Horse Suite

    Performer: Tim van Eyken. Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.
  • arr. Muzaffer SarisΓ¶n

    Çanakkale içinde

    Performer: Eser Ebcin. Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Le tombeau de Couperin - excerpts

    Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.
  • Paul von Klenau

    Die Weise von Liebe und Tod des Cornets Chrisoph Rilke - selection

    Performer: Duncan Rock. Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.
  • Henry Wood, arr. Hannah French

    New War Hymn: O God, the strength of those who war

    Performer: National Theatre Ensemble, Proms Military Wives Choir, Gareth Malone. Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.
  • Adrian Sutton

    Some See Us

    Performer: Cambiata North West Choir. Conductor: David Charles Abell. Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Simon Russell Beale
Folk Singer Eser Ebcin
Songman Tim van Eyken
Baritone Duncan Rock
Actor National Theatre Ensemble
Himself Michael Morpurgo
War Horse Puppets Handspring Puppet Company
Choir Proms Military Wives
Conductor Gareth Malone
Choir Cambiata North West
Orchestra Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra
Conductor David Charles Abell
Stage Director Melly Still
Set Designer Soutra Gilmour
Producer Serena Cross
Director Tim Van Someren

Broadcasts

The home of classical music and the Proms on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Every Proms concert is broadcast live on Radio 3 - don't miss a single one.