War Horse to tour US

New York - The National Theatre of Great Britain said Wednesday that the hybrid play of performers and puppets that has become a hit on both sides of the Atlantic will begin a national tour beginning next summer.

The show, currently playing in London and New York, will begin performances at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on June 13 2012. Stops are planned for 20 cities, including San Francisco, Dallas, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia.

Based on the best-selling 1982 children's novel by Michael Morpurgo and adapted by Nick Stafford, War Horse tells the story of the friendship between an English farm boy and his horse Joey set against the Great War.

The puppets featured in the arresting show were crafted by South Africans Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, aka Handspring Puppet Company.

Twelve Handspring craftsmen created durable puppets - some have lasted 1 000 performances. The puppets do not need to be worked by professional puppeteers, though Handspring sent one of its own puppeteers to London for the first season.

The play has earned five Tony Award nominations, including for best play.