Horse's Mouth
‘This story – the story of making the first show – is our record of how uncertain, optimistic, idealistic and naïve we felt back then. It’s the spark underneath each new version and each fresh company who bring the fuel and the heat to inspire every production of War Horse.’ - Mervyn Millar
This second edition of The Horse’s Mouth follows the production of War Horse, a play adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel, from early concept workshops to one of the most beguiling and original plays ever staged by the National Theatre, the actors working with magnificent,life-sized puppets to take the audience on a gripping journey through history. The Horse’s Mouth is a fascinating, behind-the-scenes story of how this acclaimed and highly technical piece of theatre was achieved. In his new Introduction, Mervyn Millar describes how ‘the journey from improbable idea to long-running show has seen our production change.’
Mervyn Millar was born in London in 1974. He is a theatre director and puppetry specialist. He has provided puppetry to major companies including the RSC, National Theatre Studio, NT Education, theatre-rites, Lyric Hammersmith, Bristol Old Vic, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Liverpool Playhouse and BAC. He has created and directed installation and site-specific shows for wireframe and with Kazuko Hohki, and directed new writing and classics for the Steam Industry and others. Mervyn is the Artistic Director of Handspring UK.