Case Study: Reimagining War Horse - Lighting Design & Sustainability in a Touring Classic
When War Horse first premiered at the National Theatre in 2007, Paule Constable’s lighting design helped establish its timeless and iconic aesthetic.
For the latest UK tour, Ammonite’s Rob Casey, one of Constable’s original Associates, stepped into the lead role as Lighting Designer. This new chapter not only honours the production’s heritage but also reinvents it with sustainability, flexibility, and cutting-edge technology at its core.
Artistic Approach
For Rob, the process felt like “coming home.” Having supported the original design, he was now tasked with crafting a fresh vision that responded both to the production’s needs and to contemporary audience expectations.
The creative inspiration stemmed from a deep connection to War Horse’s music and projections. By treating the music as a structural spine, Rob designed a fluid, continuous lighting score that flows seamlessly without rigid scene breaks. Lighting remains a constant, evolving presence, shaping mood and rhythm in harmony with the soundscape.
At the same time, Rae Smith’s sketchbook-inspired set - brought vividly to life through 59 Productions’ animated projections - provided a dynamic visual framework. This backdrop required the lighting design to be both sculptural and responsive, shaping space around minimalist staging while supporting the story’s emotional scope.
Touring & Technical Challenges
Adapting a large-scale National Theatre production for a touring schedule required both practical streamlining and creative reinvention. Unlike the original, which relied on a custom curved rig, the tour had to work with the straight bars and counterweight systems standard across UK theatres. This meant rethinking positions, focus, and fixture count.
The solution was to transform the rig into a fully moving-light system. This not only sped up fit-ups and relights in new venues but also allowed remote adjustment from the lighting desk - eliminating the need for manual repositioning. Such adaptability ensures that the show can retain its artistic detail while remaining practical to tour.
Sustainability Innovation
One of the most significant aspects of the redesign was its commitment to environmental sustainability.
- The new rig is exclusively LED-powered, reducing energy consumption dramatically compared to the tungsten-based original.
- The production eliminated approximately 160 dimming channels, further cutting power draw and simplifying infrastructure.
- By reducing the number of fixture types and weight of equipment, the touring load is lighter, requiring fewer trucks and lowering the carbon footprint.
“Starting from the ground up, this new design not only makes the production more adaptable for touring but also significantly enhances its environmental sustainability.”
The shift to LED was not without challenges. Joey, the auburn-brown puppet horse created by Handspring, had historically responded beautifully to tungsten light. Achieving the same warmth and depth with LEDs had previously eluded designers. Through the latest advancements in LED technology, Rob and his team were able to replicate the iconic look while still honouring the sustainability brief.
Technological Advances
Several innovations underpin this reimagined design:
- Macula Followspot System - allows all 42 backlights in the rig to track the horse puppets, even focusing the entire rig on a single horse when needed, all controlled by a single operator.
- Martin MAC Ones & Aura XIPs - high-output, energy-efficient LED fixtures forming the backbone of the design. The MAC Ones also echo the aesthetic of visible Par Cans from earlier productions, updating the in-view look for a new era.
- Automation & Flexibility - fully motorised fixtures ensure the rig can adapt to any touring venue, while maintaining the precise visual storytelling required by the director and creative team.
Outcome
The redesigned lighting for War Horse:
- Preserves the show’s legacy while offering a fresh, contemporary feel.
- Streamlines touring logistics, ensuring quick and efficient setups.
- Champions sustainability through exclusive LED use, reduced trucking, and lower energy consumption.
- Expands creative potential with new technologies like the Macula system and fully moving-light rig.
“By harnessing modern technology to illuminate the production, we hope the audience will experience an exhilarating and revitalised show, one that feels contemporary and vibrant, rather than a show from 15 years ago.”
Legacy
This reimagining of War Horse marks a turning point for large-scale touring theatre. By marrying artistry with sustainability, Casey’s design sets a new benchmark for productions seeking to reduce environmental impact without compromising creative ambition.
Following a sold-out national tour, the Tony Award-winning global sensation returns to where it all began, nearly two decades after its debut at the National Theatre from 16th May to 30th July 2026.
By Matt Veitch