WHEN Steven Spielberg's lavish film version of Warhorse debuts at cinemas next year, Derbyshire folk musician John Tams will be paying special attention to the soundtrack.

That's because John, who has had a long association with the Michael Morpurgo tale, has been invited by the Hollywood director to meet him and composer John Williams to discuss including a Tams song in the movie.

John says: "Michael has already gone down to the set and appears in one of the scenes and now I have been invited. I have had phone and email conversation with Steven Spielberg and John Williams and have found them to be very generous spirits."

Warhorse is the story of Joey, who journeys from farm horse in Devon to the trenches of the First World War.

John's association with the tale goes back five years.

"I was invited to construct in workshop the idea of doing it as a play for the National Theatre and to supply the songs," he says. "It ran and ran at the National Theatre and then transferred to the New London Theatre in Drury Lane, where it continues to play to sold-out houses.

"It's going to Broadway early next year, and Australia and Canada – so in the future there will be at least four productions being staged around the world."

All, of course, featuring John's songs. Such success always attracts Hollywood and now Spielberg is helming a film adaptation starring David Thewlis and Emily Watson that's currently filming in Wiltshire.

John says: "It's very rare that a show moves from the stage to celluloid and takes all the bits and bobs with it. So it's quite nice that one of the songs from the stage show will be included in the movie."

John has also previously adapted Warhorse for broadcast on BBC radio with an all-star cast.

He says: "I was luck enough to get Timothy Spall to play the lead character alongside Bob Hoskins and Brenda Blethyn. It was a nice position to be in to work so closely with such great actors."

It was the success of the radio broadcast that prompted John and Michael to devise a storytelling version.

That comes to Derby Assembly Rooms on October 16 with Michael's reading interspersed with music from John and Barry Coope.

John says: "We have only done it twice so far but we are now doing it in Derby and the following night in Sheffield. "Michael's availability limits us because he has become such a mighty writer that he's very much in demand. He's a delightful man, of great talent and is a great storyteller.

"But it's important for people to know that it is a reading and not the National Theatre show. But a reading by one of the greatest storytellers alive."

And there certainly seems to be no stopping Warhorse at the moment.

"It seems to go and on – there's even a fridge magnet," says John. "When you reach that status, you know you are onto a winner."

WARHORSE: THE CONCERT

WHERE: Derby Assembly Rooms.

WHEN: Saturday, October 16, 7.30pm.

TICKETS: £12 (under 16s £8).

BOX OFFICE: 01332 255800.