- Venue Old Vic, London
- Performance dates Booking to 14 June 2025
- Running time 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval)
- Age guidelines 14+
Book The Brightening Air Tickets by Conor McPherson at The Old Vic Theatre
Experience the world premiere of The Brightening Air, a captivating new play by Olivier Award-winning playwright and director Conor McPherson, at The Old Vic in London. The stellar cast includes Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, The IT Crowd), Brian Gleeson (Bad Sisters) and Rosie Sheehy (Machinal).
A Story of Fate, Family, and Unseen Forces
The Brightening Air unfolds in 1980s Ireland, where siblings Stephen and Billie find themselves navigating the complexities of life in their decaying family farmhouse. Their quiet existence is turned upside down with the unexpected arrival of their ex-clergyman uncle, a miracle-seeking sister-in-law, and a trouble-making prodigal brother. This entrancing tale delves deep into the themes of memory, home, and the forces that shape our lives. How much of living is simply forgetting?
Following the success of his multi-award-winning Girl from the North Country, McPherson returns to The Old Vic in Spring 2025 with another unforgettable production. Don’t miss your chance to experience his masterful storytelling in this world premiere that blends themes of family, destiny, and the magic of the past.
The Brightening Air runs from 10 April 2025 to 14 June 2025 at The Old Vic theatre in London.
“How much of living is really just forgetting?”
The family home is more than just a building. It can be a destination of pilgrimage, an inherited investment, a repository of memory or even magic. And, for brother and sister Stephen (Brian Gleeson) and Billie (Rosie Sheehy), home is all they have. Mucking along in their decaying farmhouse, they’re doing just fine.
That is, until the arrival of an ex-clergyman uncle (Seán McGinley) with an unscrupulous plan, a sister-in-law (Hannah Morrish) seeking a miracle, and a prodigal brother (Chris O’Dowd) hell-bent on trouble.
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Performance Information
Check booking calendar for full details
- Evenings
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Matinees
- Wednesday
- Saturday
- Group Bookings For groups of 10+ enquire here
Stars and Creatives
Who is in the cast of The Brightening Air?
The cast stars Derbhle Crotty as Elizabeth, Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty as Brendan, Brian Gleeson as Stephen, Aisling Kearns as Freya, Seán McGinley as Pierre, Hannah Morrish as Lydia, Chris O’Dowd as Dermot and Rosie Sheehy as Billie.
They are joined by understudies Ella Maria Carmen (Billie/Freya), Callum Cronin (Brendan/Stephen), Joseph McCarthy (Dermot/Pierre) and Amy Vicary-Smith (Elizabeth/Lydia).
Who are the creative team of The Brightening Air?
Written and directed by Conor McPherson
Set and Costume is by Rae Smith, Lighting by Mark Henderson, Sound by Gregory Clarke, Movement and Intimacy by Lucy Hind, Casting by Serena Hill CDG, Voice by Charlie Hughes-D’Aeth, Dialect by Danièle Lydon and Fights by Kate Waters.
The Associate Director is Anastasia Osei-Kuffour, Associate Set is Niall McKeever, the Costume Supervisor is Poppy Hall, the Props Supervisor is Fahmida Bakht and the Music Associate is Benjamin McQuigg.
Important Notes
Access performances: Audio described: Fri 30 May, 7.30pm (Touch Tour 5.30pm); Relaxed (also audio described, captioned and BSL interpreted): Sat 31 May, 2.30pm; Captioned: Mon 02 Jun, 2.30pm; British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted: Fri 06 Jun, 7.30pm
Venue Information
Old Vic , Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8NB
Nearest Tube or Train: Waterloo (Jubilee line, Northern line, Bakerloo line)
Nearest Buses: 1, 68, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 501
Google
AppleCritics' reviews of The Brightening Air
★★★★★ "The finest play of the year... Chris O'Dowd leads a magnificent cast in a rich and subtle play that will surely endure for decades" - The i Paper
★★★★ "Conor McPherson’s excellent first new play in 12 years" - TimeOut
★★★★ "Hilarious and achingly moving" - Evening Standard
★★★★ "Rosie Sheehy confirms her star status in this terrific Chekhovian drama" - The Telegraph
★★★★ "This enthralling, bittersweet comedy-drama" - The Stage
★★★★ "A rich family drama with echoes of Chekhov" - The Financial Times
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The Brightening Air by Conor McPherson to premiere at The Old Vic theatre in London
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