A CLASSIC children’s tale that has inspired generations of horse-lovers and launched the animal welfare movement has finally been turned into a play.

And the debut production of Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty comes to Lulworth Castle next week.

Black Beauty was written in 1877 and its author died just five months after it was first printed. Although a favourite with children around the world, it was not written as a children’s book but as a tale to bring attention to the mistreatment of working horses at the time. Told from the perspective of a horse, the novel charts the life of Black Beauty as he leaves his loving home with the Gordon family and experiences the highs and lows of life until he is finally reunited with his original carers.

Along the way he meets many equine friends from very different backgrounds who each tell their own poignant stories about life as a working horse in Victorian times.

The role of Black Beauty is played by Simeon John-Wake, a trained actor and dancer, who spends the performance with his head encased in an iron frame resembling a horse’s head.

He said: “I have to wear a metal cage that sits on my pelvis with a metal rod running down my spine to support it. It’s quite a challenge but I’ve been working with a wonderful movement coach from Lecoq theatre school who has talked to me about the idea of being a horse and moving like a horse.”

The production is a visual feast with many stunning and carefully created scenes. Highlights include the famous race scene at Epsom, in which the audience take part, a dramatic mine explosion scene and a flashback tale from an old war horse remembering his time in the Crimean War.

Simeon added: “So far we have had really positive audience feedback. It is a great story and this is an excellent production so you can’t really go wrong.

“There are some sad moments but so far we’ve managed to avoid having children bursting into tears. We have had little girls galloping round after the show pretending to be horses, which is lovely and what it’s all about really.”

Black Beauty is at Lulworth Castle on August 12 at 7pm. Gates open at 5pm for picnics and tickets are £18 plus concessions and family rates. Call 0844 8717604 for full details and bookings.