The Playboy of the Western World

Opened: September 27, 2011
Closing: November 26, 2011

The Playboy of the Western World - 2011 - West End History , Info & More

Old Vic Theatre
The Cut, South Bank London

Opening the new season at The Old Vic, John Crowley directs J M Synge's irreverent comic masterpiece starring Niamh Cusack, Ruth Negga and Robert Sheehan.



This savagely funny Irish classic was first produced in 1907 and was met with rioting and controversy when it premiered, sending shock waves across the dramatic world.



Set in a small village in the west coast of County Mayo, The Playboy of the Western World is a lyrical comedy which tells the story of lonely dreamer Christy Mahon who wanders into a pub, claiming that he has killed his father. Captivating the locals with his tale of bravery he becomes an instant hero but it turns out that there's an unexpected twist in his tale.

The Playboy of the Western World - 2011 - West End Cast

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Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Hadi Tabbal & More to Star in THE WINTER'S TALE at Folger Theatre by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 26, 2023

Tickets are now on sale for The Winter’s Tale at Folger Theatre! The Winter's Tale is Shakespeare romance that takes audiences on an exhilarating journey, weaving together a series of complex relationships.

Cast and Crew Announced For World Premiere Adaptation Of THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 25, 2023

The cast and crew have been announced for the World Premiere adaptation of THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, opening on October 29. Brian Pastor will direct Shawna Tucker's original adaptation of the Davis Grubb novel. Get event and ticket information here!

New Productions Of Shaw and Sartre Kickoff A Salvation And Damnation Repertory For Quintessence Theatre Group by Stephi Wild - Sep 12, 2023

Quintessence Theatre Group launches Season XIV of epic theatre with George Bernard Shaw’s stinging comedy Major Barbara and Jean-Paul Sartre’s fierce take on the afterlife, No Exit. Learn more about the shows, and find out how to get tickets here!

THE AMEN CORNER and THE CLEARING Begin Previews at the Shaw Festival by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 27, 2023

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Award Winning Novelist Andrew O'Hagan to Premiere First Play THE BALLAD OF TRUMAN CAPOTE At Edinburgh Fringe 2023 by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 30, 2023

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City Lit Names Brian Pastor Executive Artistic Director by Stephi Wild - Jun 2, 2023

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THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD Comes to the Shaw Festival by Stephi Wild - May 25, 2023

Jackie Maxwell returns to the Shaw Festival to direct The Playboy of the Western World – the play that stoked the fires of Irish nationalism and sparked the infamous Dublin “Playboy Riots” of 1907. Previews of J.M. Synge's funny and enthralling masterwork of the Irish Literary Renaissance begins May 25 in the theatre named after The Shaw's former A.D. – the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre.

Kennedy Center GUYS AND DOLLS, Kevin Chamberlin, And More Win Helen Hayes Awards by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2023

This evening, the 2023 Helen Hayes Awards took place at The Anthem on the District Wharf, with over 1,600 theatre-makers and theatre supporters in attendance. Esteemed Washington theatre artists Naomi Jacobson, Erika Rose, Holly Twyford, and Christopher Michael Richardson hosted an evening showcasing the vibrant and diverse community of professional theatre artists in the Washington region.

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Irish Repertory Theatre will present Landmark Productions (Anne Clarke, Founder and Producer) World Stage Premiere of The Saviour. See how to purchase tickets!

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With Noël Coward's Private Lives currently running until 27 May, Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Longhurst and Executive Director Henny Finch have announced full casting for the world première of Jack Thorne's play When Winston Went to War with the Wireless. 

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Laguna Playhouse announced, in association with Gare St. Lazare, Ireland and the Rubicon Theatre Company, Faline England, Sorcha Fox, Conor Lovett and Joe Spano starring in the rolling Southern California premiere of THE REALISTIC JONESES, written by Will Eno and directed by Judy Hegarty-Lovett.

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World Premiere of Damien Atkins' PRINCE CASPIAN to be Presented at the Shaw Festival by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 29, 2023

Heed the call and return once again to the magical world of Narnia. Molly Atkinson directs the world premiere of Damien Atkins’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s Prince Caspian.

Stephen Campbell Moore & Adrian Scarborough to Star in WHEN WINSTON WENT TO WAR WITH THE WIRELESS by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 22, 2023

The cast has been set for the world première of Jack Thorne’s play When Winston went to War with the Wireless at Donmar Warehouse. See who is starring and how to purchase tickets!

MAHABHARATA World Premiere Begins Previews This Week at The Shaw Festival by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2023

The long-awaited contemporary adaptation of Mahabharata, the four-thousand-year-old Sanskrit epic, begins previews with Mahabharata: Karma (Part 1) on February 28, followed by Mahabharata: Dharma (Part 2) on March 1, at The Shaw’s Festival Theatre.

Phillipa Soo, Steven Pasquale, Ali Ewoldt And More Nominated for Helen Hayes Awards by A.A. Cristi - Jan 30, 2023

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Artistic Director Tim Carroll has unveiled the Shaw Festival's 2023 casting and creative teams for the Festival Theatre, Royal George Theatre, Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, BMO Stage, as well as the newly added Spiegeltent.

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Review: THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD at Atlas Performing Arts Center by PETER Rouleau - Nov 12, 2022

A lively contemporary rethinking of a classic Irish comedy.

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Review: PLAYBOY OF THE WEST INDIES, Birmingham Rep by Laura Lott - Jun 16, 2022

It's been over a century since John Millington Synge's Irish play The Playboy of the Western World was first performed, and almost 40 years since Mustapha Matura transported the story to Trinidad in the original version of Playboy of the West Indies. Sadly, Matura passed away in 2019 before he finished the musical adaptation of his work, but collaborators and co-directors Clement Ishmael, Nicolas Kent and Dominique Le Gendre continued the project and have now brought the spirit and humour of the Caribbean to a Birmingham stage.

Cast Announced for THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD at City Lit by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 15, 2022

Resident Director Brian Pastor has announced the cast for THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD – a classic comedy that has spurred a film, musical, and even an operatic adaptation.

PLAYBOY OF THE WEST INDIES Comes to Birmingham Rep by Stephi Wild - Jun 14, 2022

Birmingham Rep, the city's only major producing theatre, has released production shots of the world premiere musical, Playboy of the West Indies, presented by the Birmingham 2022 Festival.

See League of Chicago Theatres' Summer Theater Guide, Featuring Black Ensemble Theater, Goodman Theatre & More by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 25, 2022

 Chicago will continue to produce some of the most exciting work in the country this summer. Offerings from the city’s more than 250 producing theatres include a wide variety of plays and musicals, as well as comedy, dance, and outdoor events.    

Photos/Video: First Look at PLAYBOY OF THE WEST INDIES at Birmingham Rep by Stephi Wild - May 18, 2022

All new photos and video have been released for Playboy of the West Indies, a new musical at Birmingham Rep in June. The show opens next month, running from 10 June - 2 July with an opening night on 15 June.

BWW Review: THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD at Ronin Theatre by Angela Kabasan - May 15, 2022

Ronin Theatre company to present The Playboy of the Western World May 12-29 at the Irish Cultural Center.

David Birney, Stage and Screen Actor Known For BRIDGET LOVES BERNIE, Dies at 83 by Stephi Wild - May 3, 2022

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Kiln Theatre Announces Full Cast For Marina Carr's GIRL ON AN ALTAR by Stephi Wild - Apr 12, 2022

With Chinonyerem Odimba and Ben and Max Ringham's Black Love currently running at the theatre, Kiln Theatre, in a brand-new partnership with the Abbey Theatre, today announces the full cast for Marina Carr's Girl on an Altar. Annabelle Comyn directs Nina Bowers (Cassandra), Daon Broni (Aegisthus), Jim Findley (Tyndareus), Kate Stanley Brennan (Cilissa), David Walmsley (Agamemnon) and Eileen Walsh (Clytemnestra).

Cast Announced for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Shakespeare's Globe by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 9, 2022

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Quintessence Theatre to Stage THE WINTER'S TALE and THE ALCHEMIST by Marissa Tomeo - Mar 5, 2022

Quintessence Theatre Group, Philadelphia's professional classic repertory theatre, continues Season XII: Breaking the Cycle with repertory productions of William Shakespeare’s genre-defying romance The Winter’s Tale and Ben Jonson’s satirical farce The Alchemist. The repertory starts previews March 16, with an Opening Weekend Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26.

Photo: First Look at Marie Mullen as Mrs. Paroo in THE MUSIC MAN by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 9, 2022

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Quintessence Theatre Presents Seamus Heaney's THE CURE AT TROY This Month by Stephi Wild - Jan 13, 2022

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The Playboy of the Western World FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Playboy of the Western World has had 12 productions including Broadway which opened in 1911, Broadway which opened in 1913, Broadway which opened in 1921, Broadway which opened in 1930, Broadway which opened in 1934, Broadway which opened in 1946, Broadway which opened in 1971, Off-Broadway which opened in 1985, Off-Broadway which opened in 1990, Off-Broadway which opened in 2002, Off-Broadway which opened in 2009 and West End which opened in 2011.

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