War Horse author Michael Morpurgo in Theatre Severn visit
Children's author Michael Morpurgo has visited Shropshire to take part in a performance of his much-loved book, War Horse.
The writer was at the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury on Saturday to take part in War Horse – The Concert, which interspersed readings from the children's book, which became a Steven Spielberg film, with songs from BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners, John Tams and Barry Coope.
It is a new take on the powerful story, which is told through the eyes of a horse as it moved from life on a farm in Devon to the horrors of the Western Front during the First World War.
The story has already been adapted into an internationally-successful stage show, while Spielberg's recent big screen version of the tale also won acclaim around the world and was nominated for six Oscars.
A spokesman for the event said the musical element of the latest production helped to 'cradle Michael's reading with songs driven by his narrative, adding to the experience of his storytelling to create a new theatre'.
Mr Morpurgo spent time after the performance chatting with members of the audience and signing copies of his book.
The writer is a patron of the annual Shrewsbury Children's Bookfest and a display by organisers of the event was also set up at the Theatre Severn.
The display focused on the true story of a pair of real horses who died during a battle in France in April 1918.
War Horse – The Concert, was visiting Shrewsbury as part of a national tour, with further performances taking place later this month in Leeds and Salford Quays.
The original novel has now sold more than one million copies and has been translated into over 40 languages.
