Prior to London, it will play at Theatre Royal Bath, running Aug. 31-Sept. 17, as part of that theatre's summer 2016 season.

The play will be directed by Terry Johnson, and presented by TRH Productions, Lee Dean and Theatre Royal Bath Productions.

In the play, Cooper plays John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester, who is a charismatic poet, playwright and rake with a legendary appetite for excess in 1670s London. Yet, this most ardent of hedonists is forced to reconsider everything he thinks and feels when a chance encounter with an actress at the Playhouse sends him reeling.

In addition to The History Boys, Cooper has starred at the National in Mother Clapp's Molly House and Phedre alongside Helen Mirren. His films include "The Duchess," "My Week with Marilyn," "Mamma Mia!," "Captain America: The First Avenger," and he is soon to be seen in "Preacher."

Johnson is a playwright and director who has won numerous theatre awards including two Oliviers as a playwright for Best Comedy and a Tony for Best Director of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles. Other directing credits include The Graduate and The End of the Rainbow (both also on Broadway), Entertaining Mr. Sloane and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The Libertine originally premiered on tour by Out of Joint and at the Royal Court in 1994; it was later revived at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre starring John Malkovich under the direction of Johnson, before Johnny Depp took the title role in the 2004 film adaptation. Jeffreys' other plays include A Going Concern, The Clink and Valued Friends.

Further casting is still to be announced.

To book tickets for the West End run, contact the box office on 020 7930 8800 or visit www.trh.co.uk. For the Bath Theatre Royal run, contact the box office on 01225 448844 or visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk.