War Horse
NICK STAFFORD
War Horse
adapted for the stage from the novel by
MICHAEL MORPURGO
Contents
- Title Page
- First Performance
- Characters
- War Horse
- Author’s Note
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- War Horse Song Book
- The Devonshire Carol
- Only Remembered
- The Scarlet and the Blue
- Snowfalls
- Brisk Young Ploughboy
- Rolling Home
- Stand To
- Goodbye Dolly Gray
- About the Author
- By Nick Stafford from Faber
- Copyright
First Performance
War Horse was first performed in the Olivier auditorium of the National Theatre, London, presented in association with Handspring Puppet Company, on 9 October 2007. The cast, in alphabetical order, was as follows:
Jamie Ballard Major Nicholls
Alice Barclay Swallow/Emilie
Jason Barnett Chapman Carter/Rudi/Heine
James Barriscale Sergeant Bone/Colonel Strauss/Sergeant Fine
Simon Bubb Captain Stewart/Soldat Schmidt
Finn Caldwell Joey’s Mother/Goose/Topthorn/Veterinary Officer Martin
Paul Chequer David/Soldat Schultz
Tim van Eyken Song Man
Thomas Goodridge Young Joey/Topthorn
Stephen Harper Joey’s Mother/Dr Schweyk/Coco/Geordie
Thusitha Jayasundera Rose Narracott/Private Shaw
Gareth Kennerley Veterinary Officer Bight/Karl
Craig Leo Crow/Joey
Rachel Leonard Baby Joey/Emilie
Tim Lewis Topthorn/Major Callaghan
Tommy Luther Joey
Mervyn Millar Baby Joey/Emilie
Emily Mytton Paulette/Crow
Toby Olié Swallow/Joey/Crow
Toby Sedgwick Ted Narracott/Coco
Ashley Taylor-Rhys Ned Warren/Heine
Luke Treadaway Albert Narracott
Howard Ward Sergeant Thunder/Soldat Klebb
Alan Williams Arthur Warren/Soldat Manfred
Angus Wright Hauptmann Friedrich Müller
All other parts played by members of the company
Directors Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris
Designer/Drawings Rae Smith
Puppet Design and Fabrication Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company
Lighting Designer Paule Constable
Director of Movement Toby Sedgwick
Music Adrian Sutton
Songmaker John Tams
Music Director Harvey Brough
Video Designers Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer for Fifty Nine Productions Ltd
Sound Designer Christopher Shutt
Associate Mervyn Millar
Characters
Joey, a horse
Alice, his mother, a horse
Chapman Carter, auctioneer
Villagers/Ringsiders
Albert Narracott
Ted Narracott, his father
Arthur Warren
Ned, his son
Rose Narracott, Albert’s mother
Captain Stewart
Topthorn, a horse
Sergeant Greig
Sergeant Bone
Major Nicholls
Veterinary Officer Bright
Sergeant Thunder
David Taylor
Hauptmann (Captain) Friedrich Muller
Stein, his batman
Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) Karl,
promoted to Offizier-Stellvertreter*
Doctor Schweyk
Colonel Strauss
Paulette
Emilie, Paulette’s daughter,
aged seven, aging to eleven
Unteroffizier (Sergeant) Klebb
Schultz
Heine, Coco, horses
Sergeant Fine
Sentry Shaw
Rudi
Schmidt, fleeing German soldier
Geordie
Manfred
Ludwig
Major Callaghan, officer at clearing station
Veterinary Officer Martin
Various soldiers, puppet horses, other animals and birds
* Offizier-Stellvertreter: Acting Officer – a rank (created due to heavy casualties) given to NCOs who acted in the field as officers but without the privileges of a commission.
WAR HORSE
Author’s Note
Joey – the central character – Alice, his mother, and Topthorn are all horses. None of them speaks but all – especially Joey – have detailed throughlines.
This involves many more stage directions than is normal in a stage play, and these barely indicate the detailed relationships between horse and human that need to be plotted to tell this story. A full description of the horses’ movements and reactions would be a script in itself. Therefore what follows is intended to be sufficient to begin.
ONE
Devon – open country, 5 August 1912.
Birds in the sky. Nature at its most natural.
The shape of Alice emerges as she moves.
Joey emerges from behind her. We get to know him.
Joey and Alice stand, heads together. There is intimacy between them.
Joey tries to suckle, three times, but Alice won’t let him. Then she turns her head directly towards him – thus Joey is forced away.
Alice leaves him there for a while. Joey is unhappy about this.
Alice changes head angle to let Joey know he can return.
They stay very close, touching, as if replenishing love.
Alice begins to worry. She shows all the signs of trying to locate a sensed threat. Joey picks up on this.
Is the threat from that direction? Or that? Or that? It seems to be all around!
TWO
Continuous.
Enter humans.
They move in towards the horses in a co-ordinated fashion, trying not to scare them.
They form or bring portions of fencing and separate the horses into two pens.
Joey sticks close to Alice. She goes this way, then that, but there is no way to break the pens without using her overwhelming force.
She and Joey come to a halt in the middle of the ring of humans.
Suddenly lights come on in the ring and the voice of Chapman Carter, auctioneer, rings out.
Carter Eleven guineas – (Taking bids.) Twelve, any advance on twelve? She’s worth more than twelve guineas. This is a reluctant sale due to hard times. It could happen to any of you. I’m not asking for charity, just a fair price. Thirteen, thank you. Pay unto others what thou wouldst have paid unto you is all I’m asking. Fourteen, any one? … Fourteen guineas for the mare. Fourteen guineas is the best we can do today? Gone!
Enter Albert.
The buyer throws a rope over Alice’s head. Joey reacts violently. Humans usher him away from Alice as she is led towards a gap that appears in the ring.
Joey begins to vocalise his distress. Alice answers him.
Exit Alice.
The ring closes behind her. Joey is alone in the ring.
But Alice is refusing to go quietly. She must be controlled before the auction can continue.
Let’s get this bliddin’ horse moved. Two minutes.
Carter goes to help control Alice. Ringsiders go with him.
Joey runs to and fro.
Albert tries to attract him. Joey faces away from him.
Albert Here, boy. Come on, boy.
Joey seems about to respond when:
Enter Ted, Albert’s father, with a pint pot.
Joey’s off again!
Ted Eh, Albert, whass goin’ on?
Albert Two-minute break, dad.
Ted Oh aye?
Ted watches. There’s another moment of contact between Joey and Albert.
Hold me pint whilst I go fer a wotsit.
Exit Ted.
Albert Here boy! Here!
Again it seems that Joey and Albert make contact.
Enter Ned Warren at the opposite side of the ring. His abrupt arrival makes Joey take fright. He runs round the ring again.
Here boy, here! Gonna wear yerself out.
Ned That’s right, horse, don’t pay any mind to him.
Albert ignores him.
Albert Hey boy, hey boy.
Ned Here boy!
Joey definitely favours Albert.
Enter Arthur Warren.
Arthur Wassup, Ned?
Ned This foal. Watch him.
Arthur You think he’s a prospect?
Ned He’s got something.
Arthur He’s a hunter, en’t he? Half-thoroughbred, half-draught. He’s fer riding, so eh, Albert, what would you want with a horse like that?
Ned That your father’s pint or are you goin’ the same way?
Albert stays focused on Joey.
Ned deliberately nudges Albert, spilling the pint.
Ned Whoops!
Albert What the –!
Arthur It’s for you and yer family’s good. We don’t think your father should drink so much.
Enter Ted. The Warrens leave Albert and brush past Ted, who retrieves his pint pot from Albert.
Ted Where’s my beer?
Albert Ned made me spill it.
Ted He did what?
Albert He nudged me.
Ted Why did ya let ’im do that?
Albert I didn’t let ’im.
Ted Eh, did you nudge ’im?
Arthur You talking ta me?
Ted No, ta him.
Arthur There must be sheep for sale, Ned, I can hear one bleating.
Ted Someone owes me a pint!
Albert Dad, leave it …
Ted A fresh pint, if you please.
Arthur He (Albert) spilled it. Got the Narracott shake.
Ted goes for Arthur.
Enter Carter. Ringsiders return.
Carter What’s going on?
Ted and Arthur separate.
Two grown men.
Ted One of ya – I don’t care which – owes me a pint.
Arthur No.
Ned No.
Carter If you don’t mind. Next lot. Hunter colt. Half-thoroughbred, half-draught. His draught mother had a night of passion with a thoroughbred, just like mine did. Looks as if he might have some speed when he gets older.
Ned Buy ’im, vather. He’ll be a winner.
Arthur (to Carter) We’ll have him. Twenty guineas. That’s fair.
Carter Twenty guineas bid by Arthur Warren.
There are no other bids.
No? No one else? Going once, going twi–
Ted Twenty-one guineas!
Albert Vather?
Carter Farmer Narracott bids twenty-one? Are you sure?
Ted What d’ye mean, am I sure?
Carter Earlier on you asked me about the calf that’s coming –
Ted Changed ma mind.
Arthur Twenty-two.
Ted Twenty-three.
Albert Dad?
Arthur Twenty-four.
Ted Twenty-five.
Albert Dad?
Arthur Twenty-six!
Ted Twenty-seven!
Arthur Twenty-eight!
Ted Twenty-nine.
Albert Dad, we’re here to buy a calf –
Ted Dost like the beast or no?
Arthur You can make out through the fug of the ale that this is a horse, Ted? Zot a calf, you know, just ’cos it has four legs and a head.
Ted Twenty-nine!
Arthur Thirty!
Ted Thirty-one!
Arthur Thirty-two!
The Ringsiders know this has got out of hand now.
Carter Gentlemen! Let’s take a breath for a moment. And whilst you do that let me remind you that full payment is required as soon as the hammer falls.
Arthur Are you zaying I’m not good for it?
Carter No, Arthur, I am not saying that.
Arthur Then are you zaying Ted Narracott’s not good for it?
Ted I’m good for it! I’m damn good for it!
Arthur There’s that sheep again!
Ted What was his last bid? What was it!?
Arthur If you’re going to bid again, bid thirty-three, thass the next num–
Ted Thirty-three!
Arthur Thirty-four! Thirty-four guineas!
Ted Thirty-five!
Arthur Thirty-zix!
Ted Thirty-zeven!
Arthur Thirty-eight!
Ted If he’s good enough for your zon, he’s good enough for mine. Think he’s gonna ride ’im about the place all la-de-da? Bliddin’ Warrens. Thirty-nine guineas!
Beats. Arthur and Ted glare at each other.
Arthur … Have ’im.
Ned No!?
Carter Thirty-nine guineas going once … Going twice …
Arthur Do you have thirty-nine guineas on you, Ted?
Ted begins to pat his pockets.
Carter Gone! Ted Narracott. Thirty-nine guineas.
Ringsiders react.
Albert Dad, you beat him!
Ted Thirty-five pounds.
Albert That’s the mortgage money!
Ted Don’t tell your mother. Try this pocket. Five pounds, nineteen shillings left ta find.
Albert helps Ted search his pockets.
Albert And here, is this a ten shilling note?
Arthur Na. ’S note from your mother. ‘Pay mortgage. Buy calf.’
Ringsiders laugh.
Keep searchin’.
Arthur An’ if he does magic thirty-nine guineas then zomeone had better send the doctor round to Narracott’s farm, ’cos either poor Rose Narracott’s gonna faint when she hears about this or she’s gonna give her husband a richly deserved –
Ted I have it! Thirty-nine guineas!
Ned Oh no!
Ted (to Arthur) He’s mine, that horse is mine!
Ted pays Carter.
Arthur Dunno why you’re so happy, Ted. You came to buy a calf and you’ve paid way over the odds for a fancy riding horse instead.
With little confidence, to the amusement of the ringside audience Ted gets in the ring and cautiously approaches Joey.
Moo!
Ringsiders laugh at Ted’s expense.
Albert Vather, let me.
Joey watches Ted put a slip-noose in a length of rope.
Ted gets almost close enough to touch Joey, then makes a hash of the last bit, throwing the noose but missing as Joey avoids him and takes fright anew.
Let me do it.
Ted Shut up!
Joey careers round the ring to the cheers and jeers of the ringside audience. Ted makes things worse by trying to chase after Joey.
Ned Your vather’s clear and sheer drunk again.
Albert What about your vather – what’s his excuse for being like he is?
Joey causes Ted to fall over in the ring. Furious, Ted gets up and whips Joey.
Albert gets in the ring to intervene.
Ted whips Albert. The place hushes – you could hear a pin drop.
Ted Get home!
Exit Albert.
Carter Lads!
Several other men enter the ring. In a businesslike fashion they force Joey down to the floor. A harness is fitted and he’s let up into Ted’s insecure custody.
Arthur Ted Narracott masters his new fancy riding horse!
Ted Say what you like, Arthur; you wanted it, I got it. I won.
Arthur What exactly have you won? Buying ’im is the latest minus entry in the ledger that lists Ted Narracott’s vollies. He gets ideas above his station, that’s his problem. He’s stupid! He thinks he’s clever, but he’s stupid!
Ted Shut your mouth!
Arthur Very stupid! Very very stupid!
Ted Shut your mouth!
Arthur laughs.
THREE
Narracott’s farm.
Rose ’N did ya pay the mortgage?
Ted Shut your mouth.
Rose I said did ya pay the mortgage, ’cos he (Albert) won’t tell me if ya did … I know ya didn’t pay the mortgage ’cos ya wouldn’t’ve ’ad thirty-nine guineas cash money ta throw away on this –
Ted If ya know I didn’t pay the mortgage, why are ya askin’ if I did?
Rose What’s your plan, Ted? What’s your plan fer this horse an’ payin’ the mortgage ’cos there’s no way of keepin ’im, is there?
Exit Ted.
(To Albert.) Can ya do summit ta quiet that horse!
Albert tries.
’E’s not even a proper farm horse, is he?
Albert He’s half-thoroughbred, half-draught – hunter.
Rose I know what a bliddin’ hunter is – you, young man, were supposed to be keeping a watch on your vather.
Albert I can’t help it. He gives me the slip. What ya doin’?
Rose Smellin’ your breath.
Albert I en’t been drinking.
Rose Just as well. I can’t whop your vather but I can whop you … Albert!
Albert Look how he holds his head.
Rose I don’t care how he holds his blidding head or any part of him. It couldn’t be worse, could it? Damn yer vather. And Arthur. Right, can’t sell it immediately ’cos we’d get what, twenty guineas for him? Right, so bring him on.
Albert We can keep him?
Rose Feed him up, then when he’s grown, sell ’im. That’s our only hope to turn a profit on him, right? ’N you are going to be in charge of bringin’ ’im on. That means all chores: feeding, grooming, mucking out, exercise. You – all of it. As fer not payin’ the mortgage, I’ll have ta think of something. If ya hear strange noises from the house, don’t worry, it’s me killin’ yer vather.
Exit Rose.
Albert (to Joey) She’s all right. She’s my mum, if ya hadn’t guessed.
Joey won’t let Albert near.
You don’t need to fear me … When was the last time you were fed? I bet you haven’t had a thing.
Joey is tempted by Albert’s bucket of feed.
But Joey doesn’t come for it because he doesn’t like Albert approaching him face on.
Come on, boy.
Albert places the bucket on the floor, but Joey still doesn’t like him being face on.
I won’t hurt you …
Albert picks up the bucket and, at a loss, turns away.
Joey moves in without Albert noticing.
Albert turns back and Joey stops.
Albert offers the bucket, but Joey won’t come because Albert’s face on again.
I promise I won’t hurt you. It’s feed, look. Good feed. Mmmm.
But Joey won’t come in and he moves if Albert tries to close the distance.
Albert turns away and catches Joey moving in the corner of his eye. He turns back and Joey stops.
Albert tests what happens if he turns away but keeps the bucket available. Sure enough, Joey comes in for the feed.