Full casting has been announced for the National Theatre production of The Playboy of the Western World, a story of youth and self-discovery by John Millington Synge.
This new production is directed by Caitríona McLaughlin (Artistic Director of the Abbey Theatre, the National Theatre of Ireland) and will play in the Lyttelton theatre from 4 December 2025 to 28 February 2026.
What is The Playboy of the Western World about?
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…
Who is in the cast of The Playboy of the Western World?
Previously announced cast includes Declan Conlon as Old Mahon, Nicola Coughlan as Pegeen Mike, Lorcan Cranitch as Michael Flaherty, Megan Cusack as Susan Brady, Éanna Hardwicke as Christy Mahon, Siobhán 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, Erin Hennessey as Fiddle Player with Susan Akintomide, Peter Mooney and Donncha O’Dea joining the ensemble.
Director Caitríona 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 CDG and Naomi Downham, voice coach Shereen Ibrahim, dialect coach Patricia Logue and staff director Neetu Singh.
Assisted performances of The Playboy of the Western World at the National Theatre
Captioned Performances: Tuesday 18 December 2025 – 7.30pm, Saturday 24 January 2026 – 2.15pm, Friday 13 February 2026 – 7.30pm.
BSL Interpreted: Friday 16 January 2026 – 7.30pm, Thursday 26 February 2026 – 7.30pm.
Audio described (preceded by a Touch Tour 90 minutes before the performance start time): Saturday 20 December 2025 – 2.15pm, Friday 20 February 2026 – 7.30pm.
Relaxed Performance: Tuesday 20 January 2026 – 7.30pm
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