McPherson's The Seafarer to Make London Splash in Sept.

Conor McPherson, whose play Shining City was up for a Best Play Tony Award, will direct his new play The Seafarer for The National Theatre in London. The play will begin performances at the National Cottesloe Theatre on September 20th and open on September 28th, before embarking on a UK tour.

Two-time Olivier Award-winner Conleth Hill (Stones in His Pockets, The Producers), as well as Ron Cook, Karl Johnson and Jim Norton are set to star in the show. "It's Christmas Eve and Sharky has returned to Dublin to look after his irascible, aging brother. Old drinking buddies Ivan and Nicky are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher. In fact, Sharky may be playing for his very soul," state press notes. The show will be designed by Rae Smith.

Shining City, presented by MTC and starring Brian F. O'Bryne, Oliver Platt and Martha Plimpton, is currently played the Biltmore Theatre.

McPherson was represented once before on Broadway, with his play The Weir. The show ran for 277 performances at the Walter Kerr Theatre in 1999. His The Lime Tree Bower was staged at off-Broadway's Primary Stages, as was his St. Nicholas, which McPherson also directed. Dublin Carol, presented by the Atlantic Theatre Company in 2003, received a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Play; McPherson also helmed the piece.