National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse visits Wales Millennium Centre for the first time next week bringing four alumni of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama back to the familiar Welsh soil of Cardiff.

Cast members Rebecca Killick, Finn Hanlon, Tom Norman and Simeon Truby return to Wales, having previously studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD). Rebecca Killick, who plays the role of Baby Joey in the production was born in Cardiff and went to Llanishen High School. She went on to train at the RWCMD before gaining her role in War Horse. Her fellow alumni, Tom Norman plays Joey Heart (double), Finn Hanlon plays Captain Nicholls and Simeon Truby plays Sergeant Allan. The four RWCMD alumni perform together as part of the first UK and Ireland tour of War Horse.

War Horse is the powerful story of a young boy called Albert and his beloved horse, Joey, who has been requisitioned to fight for the English in World War I. Caught in enemy crossfire, Joey ends up serving on both sides during the war before landing in no man’s land, while Albert, not old enough to enlist, embarks on a treacherous mission to find his horse and bring him home. A remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship, War Horse features ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which brings breathing and galloping horses to life on stage.

Sean Crowley, Director of Drama at RWCMD said: “It is a great pleasure to have four of our recent students featuring in the cast of the critically acclaimed production of War Horse, performed by the National Theatre company at Wales Millennium Centre. War Horse combines acting skills alongside puppetry to bring this extraordinary story to life, which is particularly appropriate for the drama department at Royal Welsh College where students are able to specialise in puppetry and actor training. Our alumni have been in this production from its early stages with Matthew Aubrey taking the lead role shortly after graduating in 2009. It’s wonderful that our current students will be able to see our recent graduates performing in the city where they trained.”

Graeme Farrow, Artistic Director at Wales Millennium Centre said: “Cardiff is very fortunate to have one of the UK’s leading college’s in music and drama training on its doorstep. The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama nurtures performers for the global stage, many of whom have performed on our internationally renowned Donald Gordon stage across the past 10 years. For these four alumni, it’s wonderful to see their progress from training in Wales’ capital city to working for one of the world’s leading theatre producers the National Theatre as part of an award winning production such as War Horse.”

In addition to the four RWCMD alumni, Merthyr Tydfil born Michael Humphries, will play the part of Joey Heart. Having performed for National Theatre of Wales and the Sherman Theatre, he returns to Wales to perform for the first time at Wales Millennium Centre.

War Horse is at Wales Millennium Centre from June 18 – July 19 2014. Tickets range from £20 – £51.50. Premium packages are available. For more information and booking, visit www.wmc.org.uk or call the ticket office on 02920 636464.