Warhorses Of Letters. Image shows from L to R: Marengo (Stephen Fry), Copenhagen (Daniel Rigby). Copyright: BBC
Warhorses Of Letters

Warhorses Of Letters

  • Radio comedy drama
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2011 - 2014
  • 12 episodes (3 series)

Romantic comedy about the previously untold love story between horses belonging to Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington. Stars Stephen Fry, Daniel Rigby and Tamsin Greig.

Press clippings

Radio Times review

Stephen Fry and Daniel Rigby return for a new series of the gay equine epistolary romance, set in the Napoleonic War. Fry's hearty voice is perfect for the French stallion Marengo, while Rigby is the more camp, hysteria-prone English steed Copenhagen.

Introduced by Tamsin Greig, this week's letters include the famous words of Abba "at Waterloo, Napoleon did surrender" spoken with knowing deadpan by Daniel Rigby, who shot to fame when he beat both Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch for the 2011 best actor Bafta for his role as Eric Morecambe in the BBC drama Eric and Ernie, but is now playing the geeky Simon in the BT advertisements!

Jane Anderson, Radio Times, 12th January 2014

Interview: Robbie Hudson and Marie Phillips

An interview with the writers of Warhorses of Letters.

Ade Bradley, So So Gay, 8th November 2011

Radio review: Warhorses of Letters

The delightful romance Warhorses of Letters was very funny, but also strange enough to have you staring at the radio in places.

Elisabeth Mahoney, The Guardian, 25th October 2011

Radio Times' pick of the week: Warhorses of Letters

Stephen Fry and Daniel Rigby (who won a BAFTA for his portrayl of Eric Morecambe on BBC2 this year) play the corresponding horses of Napoleon and Wellington. The series is written by Robert Hudson and Marie Phillips], who explain the genesis of Warhorses of Letters - PM.

Robert Hudson and Marie Phillips, BBC Blogs, 24th October 2011

Annoyingly addictive parody of several parodies. If you liked that Ladies of Letters series on Woman's Hour, with a hint of 1066 and All That, plus gay jests, you'll like this. If not, avoid. It's February 1810 and this is an imagined correspondence between Copenhagen (Daniel Rigby) and Marengo (Stephen Fry), the first being Napoleon's horse, the second Wellington's. Copenhagen starts as more of a gusher in 21st century mode (he signs with a hoofprint and kiss kiss) than grave Marengo. Remember, Waterloo looms. By Robert Hudson and Marie Phillips.

Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph, 24th October 2011

Warhorses of Letters: Donate towards the publication

Warhorses of Letters is planned to be published by Unbound, which is funded by donations from the public. If you donate, you will be named in the book. The bigger your donation, the more you will be offered.

Robert Hudson and Marie Phillips, Unbound, 21st October 2011

Stephen Fry to play Napoleon's warhorse

Stephen Fry is swapping QI for gee-gee - starring as a horse in a new comedy drama.

Belfast Telegraph, 13th October 2011

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