He will lead the cast for the production's return to the West End's Novello Theatre for a season that begins performances Sept. 22 for an eight-week run through Nov. 14. (Woodseon previously took over from Kenneth Cranham during the same production's Broadway run in 1994.)

Further casting also includes David Roper as Arthur Birling, Sandra Duncan as Sybil Birling, Marianne Oldham as Sheila Birling and Robin Whiting as Eric Birling. Timothy Watson will play the role of Gerald Croft, and Diana Payne Myers will play Edna.

Woodeson's other Broadway credits include appearances in Man and Superman (at the Circle in the Square in 1978), in the RSC's transfers of Piaf (to the Plymouth in 1981), Good (to the Booth in 1982) and the National Theatre's transfer of Jumpers (to the Brooks Atkinson in 2004). Off-Broadway, he has appeared in Ayckbourn's House and Garden (at Manhattan Theatre Club). His recent London theatre credits include John Mortimer's Legal Fictions (at the Savoy in February 2008) and The Birthday Party (at the Lyric Hammersmith in May 2008). On film he has appeared in "Pope Joan," "Amazing Grace," "Conspiracy," "Topsy-Turvy," "Shooting Fish," "The Pelican Brief," "The Russia House" and "Heaven's Gate." His TV roles include "Foyle's War," "Rome," "A Touch of Frost," "Great Expectations," "Hedda Gabler" and "A Rumor of War."

J.B. Priestley's play originally premiered in Moscow in 1945 before receiving its West End premiere in 1946 (when it starred Ralph Richardson) and is described in press materials as "a compelling and haunting thriller." The story begins when the mysterious Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on the prosperous Birling family home. Their peaceful family dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman.

Stephen Daldry, currently represented in the West End and on Broadway by his production of Billy Elliot (he also directed the original film version), will to return to re-direct the production, which he first directed at the National Theatre in 1992, where it won three Olivier Awards and two Evening Standard awards. On Broadway, it ran at the Royale Theatre April 14, 1994-May 28, 1995, and won four 1994 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play, Best Direction of a Play and Best Lighting Design for Rick Fisher. Designer Ian MacNeil was nominated for Best Scenic Design. MacNeil and Fisher will reprise their roles for this production, as will Stephen Warbeck for music. It is being brought back to the West End by PW Productions, Kenneth H. Wax Ltd. and Oliver Royds. To book tickets, contact the box office at 0844 482 5170 or visit www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk.