Full cast announced for 'The Playboy of the Western World'

Directed by Caitríona McLaughlin, the play tells the story of a village in Ireland that is upended by the arrival of a young man who claims to have killed his father.

Summary

• Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan leads the cast of The Playboy of the Western World as Pegeen Mike
• The production will be directed by Caitríona McLaughlin
• Performances begin on 4 December

The full cast has been revealed for John Millington Synge's The Playboy of the Western World, which runs at the National Theatre from 4 December to 28 February 2026.

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, and Erin Hennessey as Fiddle Player, with Susan Akintomide, Peter Mooney, and Donncha O’Dea in the ensemble.

Directed by Caitríona McLaughlin, the play tells the story of a village in Ireland that is upended by the arrival of a young man who claims to have killed his father.

The rest of the creative team includes 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, voice coach Shereen Ibrahim, and dialect coach Patricia Logue.

Book Playboy of the Western World tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Marty Breen, Nicola Coughlan, and Sallay Garnett. (Courtesy of production)