Best-selling author Michael Morpurgo joined Joey, the life-size horse puppet and star of the National Theatre’s production of War Horse, to visit the poppies installation at the Tower of London on Sunday 19 October. Joey walked amongst the poppies and Michael Morpurgo planted a poppy before reading the Roll of Honour.
Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red is a major art installation at the Tower of London, marking one hundred years since the first full day of Britain’s involvement in the First World War. Created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, with setting by stage designer Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies will progressively fill the Tower’s famous moat over the summer. Each poppy represents a British military fatality during the war.
Each of the poppies is available to buy online for £25 (+p&p) with 10% of profits and all net proceeds being donated to six service charities.
Throughout the installation period (05 August to 11 November) at twilight, you can witness from Tower Hill terrace the names of 180 serving military killed during the First World War being read out in a roll of honour. This is followed by the ‘Last Post’ bugle call played by a single bugler.
For more information on Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London, please visit www.poppies.hrp.org.ukFor further information about War Horse www.warhorseonstage.com
