GLOBE theatre critic Peter Grant meets Wirral's Nicky Cross - an actress and puppeteer with the stage play War Horse, which gallops into Liverpool's Empire for a much-awaited two-week run...

IT's quite a homecoming for Nicky Cross.

The Birkenhead actress is also one of three puppeteers who become 'Joey' in the spectacular stage production of War Horse.

It tells the story of young Albert's beloved horse Joey which is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France during World War One.

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, this compelling and moving drama filled with music and song takes the audience from the rural fields of Devon to the trenches of France.

It is a love story with a difference – as Albert prays he will meet his horse again one day.

One local girl is in the acclaimed cast.

Nicky, 28, trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and after completed her degree in Drama at the University of Birmingham.

Her proud drama teacher Mrs Greenwood who taught her at Birkenhead High School will be in the audience and Nicky is looking forward to seeing her.

Taking a break from rehearsals Nicky told the Globe: "I will be able to meet up and say 'look how far I've come' and thank her for all she did for me." 

Nicky is also slightly nervous that family and friends are coming throughout the run which looks like being a sell-out.

Mum and Dad, who live in Oxton, will also be thrilled to see their talented daughter on her Empire debut – a venue she would visit in her youth.

"My parents have always supported me in everything I have wanted to do and especially in acting." 

Nicky has to be very fit to do the amazing work Joey gets up to on stage.

She spent a huge amount of her life dedicated to high level sports and is also a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer which came in very handy when she started training for Warhorse.

As a junior, she was selected for the England Netball development squad and continues to play at a competitive County level as an adult.

She also played North England Hockey and county lacrosse as a junior before deciding to follow her passion for theatre at University.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, she was also a keen tennis player representing Merseyside at the Youth Games and used to competitively swim for her county too.

She has also danced from a young age.

She adds: "When I found out I got the role in Warhorse I trained with army officers to prepare my body for what was going to be a huge physical challenge.

"I have seen the stage play but I didn't want to see the film as I didn't want to be influenced by it in any way." 

As well as being a keen sportswoman, Nicky is a huge sports fan too and loves watching rugby.

She has a diverse CV in stage and screen and clearly relishes War Horse.

She wants to work in film as a puppeteer and with her track record that seems a real possibility for the bubbly multi- skilled Nicky.

So what can Globe readers expect when they come along to the stunning show part of a tour which coincides with the Centenary commemorations of the end of the First World War and follows its sold out tour of 2014.

More than seven million people worldwide have marvelled at this National Theatre record breaking classic and Nicky loves every emotional minuet being ion stage.

She said: "We all believe Joey is real.

"War Horse Is simply not be missed.

"It is a visual masterpiece.

"A play the likes of which we will rarely see again." 

War Horse is on until December 2.

Tickets are from the box office on 0844 873 017.