Be transported to 1980s Ireland in the world premiere of Olivier Award-winning writer and director Conor McPherson’s latest play, The Brightening Air. Book The Brightening Air tickets on London Theatre.

The Brightening Air is a play set in a decaying farmhouse—it tells the tale of brother and sister, Stephen and Billie, whose lives are upended when by the arrival of “an ex-clergyman uncle with an unscrupulous plan, a sister-in-law seeking a miracle, and a prodigal brother hell-bent on trouble.”

The exceptional cast includes Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) as Dermot, the prodigal brother, Brian Gleeson (Bad Sisters) as Stephen, and Rosie Sheehy (Machinal) as Billie. The cast also includes Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty (Juno and the Paycock), Derbhle Crotty (Portia Coughlan), Seán McGinley (A Whistle in the Dark), Hannah Morrish (The Merchant of Venice 1936), and Aisling Kearns (Juno and the Paycock).

The Brightening Air in London marks McPherson’s return to the theatre after the success of his 2017 play, Girl from the North Country, which was staged in the West End and on Broadway. McPherson (The Weir, Girl from the North Country) is both the writer and director of this brand-new family drama, which was the recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award.

“I’m so excited that my new play The Brightening Air will have its world premiere at The Old Vic. I’ve had such fantastic times at this historic building with its incredible audience. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone in the spring and sharing this new story,” said McPherson.

The play’s creative team includes set and costume design by Rae Smith (Girl From North Country), lighting by Mark Henderson (Operation Mincemeat), sound by Gregory Clarke (The Third Man), movement and intimacy direction by Lucy Hind (101 Dalmatians – The Musical), and fight direction by Kate Waters (Richard II).