A live broadcast of the spectacular stage play of Kent author Michael Morpurgo's War Horse, delayed due to lockdown, will now be screened in the county's cinemas in December.

The screening of the Olivier and Tony Award-winning theatrical event based on the beloved novel, had been due to be broadcast for National Theatre Live for Remembrance Day, but had to be postponed when the second national lockdown was brought in and cinemas were forced to close.

The show, directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, is Nick Stafford’s adaptation of the compelling story of courage, loyalty and friendship, telling the story of young Albert and his horse Joey, set against the backdrop of the First World War.

The show features ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which brings the horse puppets to life on stage.

Lisa Burger from National Theatre said: "We are so pleased to be able to support our cinema partners during what continues to be an extremely difficult time for the industry. They have worked tirelessly to ensure safety is a priority but without content to broadcast and support from audiences they face a very tough future. War Horse is such an NT classic, showcasing the creativity and magic of theatre and we hope that the opportunity to watch it or the 10 other classic NT Live titles we are broadcasting will encourage people to make a visit to their local cinema. Of the more than 700 UK cinemas showing NT Live, 400 of those are independent cinemas, which, along with local theatres, are often at the heart of communities."

Movement and horse choreography comes from Toby Sedgwick, with video design by Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer for 59 Productions, songmaker John Tams, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Christopher Shutt.

The screening will begin on Tuesday, December 8, and Saturday, December 12 at Maidstone Odeon, Chatham Odeon and Tunbridge Wells Odeon. It will be shown on Sunday, December 13 at EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge and the Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks.

To find your nearest cinema and book go to warhorse.ntlive.com

For more stage news across Kent click here.