The smash hit play War Horse is to transfer to Broadway next year, it has been announced.

The play will transfer to New York’s Lincoln Center from the 17th March 2011. The play is based on Michael Morgurgo’s 1982 children’s novel. War Horse is the story of Joey, a horse belonging to a young boy called Albert, who is sold to the cavalry during the first World War. His adventure sees him fight on both sides before he eventually finds himself alone in no man’s land. Albert, unable and unwilling to forget his beloved horse and too young to join up, sets out on a dangerous mission to find Joey and bring him home.

After a sell out season at the National Theatre in 2007 the play transferred to the New London Theatre, where it is booking until February 2011. The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince William are among the many who have seen the show, produced in collaboration with the Handspring Puppet Company. It has also been rumored that Steven Spielberg has bought the film rights to the play.

In other Broadway related news, there are plans to bring the Broadway production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific to London. The musical opened at the Lincoln Center Theater, New York in 2008 (New home to War Horse when it transfers) and has won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival. The show will finish in August 2010, making it the longest-running Broadway revival of any of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals.