LaBute — whose bash and The Shape of Things have been performed in Ireland — will stage his own new solo Wrecks at the Everyman Palace Theatre located in southern Ireland's Cork. The work will appear as part of the European Capital of Culture 2005 program in the fall. Friel — whose Dancing at Lughnasa was the Tony Award Best Play winner in 1992 — premieres his first full-length drama in eight years, according to the trade magazine. Adrian Noble will direct The Home Place at Dublin's Gate Theatre, starting Feb. 1. The venue will also see a revival of Friel's Faith Healer starring Ralph Fiennes, either later this year or early 2006.

Variety also purports that The Gate is in negotiations to bring Irish playwright McPherson's latest work to New York in 2005. The play, Shining City, has played to positive critical response in London and Dublin last year with the author directing.

LaBute has enjoyed the extension of his recent Off-Broadway work, Fat Pig, and will next see the debut of his This Is How It Goes at The Public Theater, March 8-April 10. He also contributed one-acts to the recent inaugural Tribeca Theatre Festival and the upcoming MCC Theatre benefit.