Casting Set for Broadway Mounting of McPherson's The Seafarer

Casting has been announced for the American premiere of Conor McPherson's The Seafarer, which will begin previews at Broadway's Booth Theatre on October 30 and open on November 15. The production, to be directed by McPherson, will star Ciarán Hinds, Conleth Hill, David Morse, Richie Coster and Jim Norton.

The Seafarer is described as a chilling new play about the sea, Ireland and the power of myth. It's Christmas Eve and Sharky Morse has returned to Dublin to look after his irascible, aging brother Norton who's recently gone blind. Old drinking buddies Ivan Hill and Nicky Coster are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger Hinds from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher. In fact, Sharky may be playing for his very soul.

The Seafarer received its world premiere in 2006 at the National Theatre of London's Cottesloe Theatre and received two Olivier Award nominations, including Best New Play. Norton received the Olivier for Best Performance in a Supporting Role. McPherson is author of the Olivier Award-winning The Weir and the Tony-nominated Shining City, among other plays.

Hinds is best known to audiences as Gaius Julius Caesar in HBO's epic drama Rome and Closer in the West End and on Broadway. Two-time Olivier Award winner Hill Stones in His Pockets, The Producers will be reprising the role he created in the National's production. Drama Desk Award winner Morse How I Learned to Drive is returning to New York theater after receiving an Emmy nomination for his guest starring role in House. Coster returns to the New York stage having starred in Nilo Cruz's Beauty of the Father and Dealer's Choice Norton will be reprising his award-winning role.

The creative team for The Seafarer includes Rae Smith set and costume design, Neil Austin lighting design, and Mathew Smethurst-Evans sound design. The play is being produced by Boyett Ostar Productions, which brought National Theatre productions of The History Boys, Coram Boy, Jumpers, Democracy and The Pillowman to Broadway.