War Horse isn't due in New Zealand until next year but it is already delighting fans in Auckland.
A life-sized horse from the show, made of steel and leather straps, thrilled members of the public at Aotea Square yesterday.
Joey - controlled by a talented trio of puppeteers - showed off his skills and interacted with people, even bending low to let youngsters pat him.
The production, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, has received rave reviews everywhere it has played including London's West End, New York, Toronto and London.
War horse will be in Auckland at the ASB Theatre from August 20.
