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War Horse writer found inspiration at local pub
Monday, 21 February 2011
A chance meeting with an older man in a local pub kick-started the research that would end up forming the children's novel War Horse, according to the author.
Michael Morpugo's story has since been adapted into a hugely successful theatre production, but it may never have happened without one particular encounter in The Duke of York in Iddesleigh, Devon.
He explained in an article in the Daily Mail how he found himself chatting to a man who had served in the first world war and for some reason asked which regiment he had been in.
The veteran revealed he had been in the Yeomanry with the horses, at which point he realised there was a story to be told.
"I think I was aware even then how privileged I was to have this living connection to that war," Morpugo remarked.
In his opinion, the plight of horses in the international conflict highlights the universal suffering of everyone involved.
The National Theatre's War Horse, which is playing at the New London Theatre, boasts the award-winning talents of the Handspring Puppet Company.