We were proud to deliver a dedicated learning programme as part of the National Theatre of Great Britain’s global education outreach initiative, accompanying the Australian production of War Horse and ensuring the show travelled with its core values of learning and participation, which lie at the heart of its mission for international engagement. 

Key elements of the programme included: 

• Seminars and holiday programmes that invited schools, families, and communities to explore War Horse through an Australian lens, uncovering stories from our own history and recognising the crucial role Australian horses played in WWI. 

• A comprehensive online resource guide for teachers, offering curriculum-aligned content across English, History, Drama, Music, Art, and Design. 

• Creative hands-on and skill-building workshops that gave young people and schools the opportunity to work alongside professional artists, puppeteers, and actors to gain valuable insight into the creative process behind the production, from puppetry, to storytelling, music, and design. Global Creatures commissioned Australian author Morris Gleitzman to write a performance piece about Australian horses in WWI specifically for use in the workshop. The resulting work, Loyal Creatures, was later shortlisted for the 2015 Australian Book Industry Awards. 

• Free post-show Q&A sessions with cast members, giving general audiences the chance to engage more deeply with the work. 

• Partnering with the Returned Servicemen’s League to offer residencies that brought participants from regional communities to engage with the production and develop industry skills. 

Through this initiative, we reinforced our commitment to fostering creativity, education, and meaningful connection, ensuring War Horse left a lasting legacy well beyond its performances.