The Old Vic Theatre has announced casting for its world premiere production of The Brightening Air by Conor McPherson.
The cast includes Hollywood star Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids), Rosie Sheehy (Machinal) and Brian Gleeson (Bad Sisters), with Derbhle Crotty (Portia Coughlan), Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty (Juno and the Paycock), Aisling Kearns (Juno and the Paycock), Seán McGinley (A Whistle in the Dark), and Hannah Morrish (The Merchant of Venice 1936).
They are joined by understudies Ella Maria Carmen, Callum Cronin, Joseph McCarthy and Amy Vicary-Smith.
Written by Olivier Award-winner Conor McPherson (The Hunger Games, Girl from the North Country, The Weir), The Brightening Air is billed as an entrancing tale of fate, family and unseen forces in 1980s Ireland.
In the play, Dermot (Chris O’Dowd) returns home to County Sligo with hidden aims. His siblings (Brian Gleeson and Rosie Sheehy) are desperate to hold on to the family home but with an ex-clergyman uncle (Seán McGinley) and sister-in-law (Hannah Morrish) looking for their own answers, plans soon go awry.
Also directed by Conor McPherson, the creative team includes Set & Costume by Rae Smith, Lighting by Mark Henderson, Sound by Gregory Clarke, Movement & 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.
The Brightening Air is playing at The Old Vic from 10 April to 14 June 2025.
Coming up next at The Old Vic is Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma, from 21 January 2025.
Book tickets to The Brightening Air at The Old Vic in London
Related News
A backstage look at The Oresteia, starring Mary-Louise Parker and David Morrissey
How the Other Half Loves Reviews: Roger Allam dazzles in a masterful Ayckbourn revival
Full cast announced for the all-new Martin Guerre at The Old Vic
Everything you need to know about The Cherry Orchard, starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Stephen Mangan
Latest News
Broadway legend Patti LuPone returns to the London Coliseum for Valentine’s Day 2027
Helen of Troy never got to tell her side. Watch the trailer for the play that does
After a sell-out world tour, The Choir of Man returns to the West End this Christmas
