Nicola Stephenson and Patrick Robinson will join the cast of War Horse next week, transporting the pair best known for inhabiting the hallways of Holby General to Michael Morpurgo’s Second World War drama at the New London theatre.
Stephenson and Robinson, who are best known for their long-running roles in BBC hospital dramas Holby City and Casualty respectively, begin their runs in the popular National Theatre production on 9 March.
Stephenson will play the mother of the play’s protagonist Albert, who is left worrying for her son’s life when he runs away to worn torn France in search of his beloved horse Joey who has been sold to the cavalry. The actress has appeared on stage in Edmund and His Girl Friday at the National Theatre and with the Royal Shakespeare Company in A Patriot For Me. Her numerous television credits include Clocking Off, Law And Order and Larkrise To Candleford, as well as appearances in films All In The Game, The Walk and State Of The Party.
Robinson, who will play German soldier Friedrich Muller, is, in addition to Casualty, well known for his work on ITV drama The Bill. On stage he has appeared in Mappa Mundi for the National Theatre, Festen at the Almeida theatre, Gem Of The Ocean and Guantanamo at the Tricycle theatre. The actor also boasts numerous credits at the Royal Shakespeare Company including Much Ado About Nothing and King Lear. His film credits also include Belly Of The Beast, The Bee Stung Wasp and Four Days To Zero.
The pair joins War Horse as it enters its fifth year and has recently celebrated its one millionth customer. On 24 February, Michael Morpurgo presented the Reynolds family from Sheffield with a rosette and specially engraved cup to celebrate.
CM