War Horse
October 2007

The National Theatre's production was a collaboration with South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company, who provided life-sized horse puppets to tell the story of Joey, a farm horse who is thrust into the midst of the First World War.

Toby was chosen by Handspring to take part in workshops at the National Theatre Studio, using a prototype puppet to simulate a horse's movement and behaviour, before exploring Joey's role within the production and its storytelling.

He was then cast as one of three puppeteers who would bring Joey to life on the Olivier stage. Responsible for the manipulation of the hind legs and tail, Toby worked in unison with fellow puppeteers Craig Leo and Tommy Luther to achieve a performance of equine proportions.

Production photography by Simon Annand