The National Theatre has revealed the full cast for its upcoming show The Playboy of the Western World, which will be led by Nicola Coughlan, Éanna Hardwicke and Siobhán McSweeney when opens in London this December.
A story of youth and self-discovery by John Millington Synge, the new production is directed by Caitríona McLaughlin.
At the edge of the earth, you could be anyone
Pegeen Flaherty’s life is turned upside down when, on a normal day, a young man walks into her pub claiming that he’s killed his father.
Instead of being shunned, the killer Christy Mahon becomes a local hero. The welcome murderer wins hearts and races as he beds himself into village life. That is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene…
Previously announced cast includes Declan Conlon as Old Mahon, Coughlan as Pegeen Mike, Lorcan Cranitch as Michael Flaherty, Megan Cusack as Susan Brady, Hardwicke as Christy Mahon, McSweeney as Widow Quin and Marty Rea as Shawn Keogh.
Completing the cast are Marty Breen as Sara Tansey, Naoise Dunbar as Jimmy Farrell, Matthew Forrest as Philly Cullen, Sallay Garnett as Nelly, Fionnuala Gygax as Honor Blake and Erin Hennessey as Fiddle Player, with Susan Akintomide, Peter Mooney and Donncha O’Dea joining the ensemble.
Director McLaughlin is joined by set and costume designer Katie Davenport, lighting designer James Farncombe, movement director Sue Mythen, sound designer Adrienne Quartly, composer Anna Mullarkey, fight director Kevin McCurdy. casting by Alastair Coomer and Naomi Downham, voice coach Shereen Ibrahim, dialect coach Patricia Logue and staff director Neetu Singh.
The Playboy of the Western World will play in the Lyttelton theatre from December 4, 2025, to February 28, 2026. Tickets here.
Top image: Nicola Coughlan, Éanna Hardwicke and Siobhán McSweeney in The Playboy of the Western World at the National Theatre. Photographer Josh Shinner. (image supplied)