Brendan Gleeson, the distinguished Irish actor, is poised to make his long-awaited West End debut in a revival of Conor McPherson's acclaimed play, The Weir. The production is set to open at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre on 12 September 2025, following an initial run at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre from 8 August to 6 September. Gleeson, best known for his film roles including Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter series and his recent acclaimed performances in The Banshees of Inisherin and Paddington 2, returns to the stage after a decade-long hiatus. This marks a significant moment in his career, as critics and audiences alike anticipate his portrayal of Jack, a mechanic with a brooding presence in a remote Irish pub.

The Weir is a poignant and atmospheric play that portrays a quiet evening in a rural pub on Ireland’s west coast in 1996. The story unfolds through the ghostly tales exchanged by three local men and the barman, attempting to capture the attention of Valerie, a young woman newly arrived from Dublin. Gleeson’s character Jack delivers one of the play’s central supernatural stories—a chilling account involving a ‘fairy road’ near Valerie’s home—which adds to the play’s haunting, mythic undercurrent. The production’s blend of the mundane and the eerie reflects Ireland’s confrontation with its changing identity in the late 20th century, touched by a folklore steeped in both nostalgia and unease.

Critics have praised Gleeson’s performance as a towering and enigmatic presence, a man whose physicality and nuanced portrayal bring depth to McPherson’s lyrical dialogue. His embodiment of Jack, donning a weathered black suit and exuding a craggy, rural authenticity, underscores the timelessness of the play's themes. Alongside him, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor brings a lively charm as Finbar, a small-time local businessman, while Seán McGinley’s Jim offers a quieter, spectral character who recounts a particularly unsettling graveyard story. Owen McDonnell provides a steady, grounded performance as Brendan, the barman, anchoring the ensemble with understated warmth. The arrival of Kate Phillips as Valerie introduces a dramatic turn to the narrative, her heartbreaking revelation casting new light on the evening’s intimate confessions.

Originally premiering in 1997, The Weir has earned its place as a modern Irish classic, notable for its tender exploration of loneliness, human connection, and the shadows of the past. Despite being almost three decades old, its resonance remains powerful, with the play continuing to captivate audiences with its poetic structure and haunting atmosphere. The longevity of The Weir is a testament to McPherson’s skill in crafting a narrative that balances warmth, humour, and the supernatural, offering an experience described by Gleeson himself as "profoundly moving, inspiring and ultimately hopeful."

This current production, directed by McPherson and co-produced by Landmark Productions, highlights the enduring relevance of the play. It represents not only a significant moment in Gleeson’s career but also a richly textured theatrical event, inviting audiences to gather around the metaphorical pub fire and contemplate the stories that shape our lives and our landscapes. Gleeson’s debut in the West End, after years of screen prominence, promises to be a milestone both for the actor and for contemporary Irish theatre.

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Source: Noah Wire Services