The most successful play in the history of the National Theatre will launch a new UK tour in Canterbury next year, it can be revealed.

War Horse - the multi award-winning wartime production about a young boy and his horse - will open at the Marlowe Theatre in the autumn.

Securing the show is a real coup for theatre bosses, who have described the news as the “icing on the cake” following a series of National Theatre productions at the venue.

Since it opened in October 2011, the Marlowe has hosted People; One Man, Two Guvnors and The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time.

Theatre director Mark Everett believes the success of these visits persuaded the National Theatre to pick Canterbury to launch the tour.

He said: “This is a huge honour for us all at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury and Kent.

“Because the tour starts at The Marlowe, it will also be rehearsed here, which adds a whole new dimension as most shows we present are made elsewhere.

“Attracting National Theatre productions was one of our key ambitions when the new Marlowe Theatre was being planned and built.

“I am absolutely delighted that we have managed to secure War Horse for our audiences. This stunning and ground-breaking production really is the icing on the cake.”

The tour of War Horse coincides with the centenary commemorations of the end of the First World War.

The show, which has been seen by more than seven million people worldwide, completes its record-breaking eight-year London run at the New London Theatre on March 12.

It has won 25 awards, including the Tony Award for Best Play on Broadway.

A Nick Stafford adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s tale of courage, loyalty, and friendship, it tells the story of a young boy called Albert and his horse Joey, set against the backdrop of the First World War.

It features ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, bringing breathing, galloping horses to life on stage.

War Horse received its world premiere in October 2007 at the National Theatre, where it played for two seasons before opening at the New London Theatre in March 2009.

Since then, War Horse has been seen in 97 cities across 10 countries.

Michael Morpurgo said: “After a few months rest out at pasture, Joey, the War Horse and his great team from the National Theatre will be touring the UK again, from 2017 through to 2018 and the centenary of the end of the First World War, taking their show all over the country, to towns and cities, many of them places War Horse has not been seen before.

“I am so pleased this is happening; that so many more people will have the chance to enjoy this unique theatrical event.”

War Horse will open at the Marlowe on September 15, 2017, and run until October 14.

Tickets go on sale to Marlowe Friends on Thursday (January 21) and the public on Monday, February 8.

They are priced from £18 to £59.50 and available from the box office on 01227 787787 or by clicking here.