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By Kenneth Jones
29 Nov 2007

Jim Norton and Conleth Hill in the London production of The Seafarer.
photo by Catherine Ashmore

The National Theatre of Great Britain's critically acclaimed production of Conor McPherson's The Seafarer, directed by the author, has a new opening date — Dec. 6.

The play will resume performances Nov. 29 at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street). The originally announced opening date (Nov. 15) was thwarted by the 19-day stagehands' strike that began Nov. 10 and ended late Nov. 28.

The Little Mermaid had previously snagged Dec. 6 for its opening, but the strike has also bumped that plan. Mermaid's new opening date will be Jan. 10, 2008, Disney announced Nov. 29.

The Seafarer stars Conleth Hill, Ciarán Hinds, Sean Mahon, David Morse, and Jim Norton.

"From McPherson, the author of the Olivier Award-winning The Weir and the Tony-nominated Shining City, comes a chilling new play about the sea, Ireland, and the power of myth," according to the producers. "It's Christmas Eve and Sharky (Morse) has returned to Dublin to look after his irascible, aging brother (Norton) who's recently gone blind. Old drinking buddies Ivan (Hill) and Nicky (Mahon) are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger (Hinds) from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher. In fact, Sharky may be playing for his very soul."

Two-time Olivier Award winner Conleth Hill (Stones in His Pockets, The Producers) reprises his role as Ivan Curry, which he originated at The National Theatre in London. Ciarán Hinds is best known to audiences as Gaius Julius Caesar in HBO's "Rome," and Closer in the West End and on Broadway. Sean Mahon will be making his Broadway debut as Nicky Giblin. Drama Desk Award winner David Morse (How I Learned to Drive) is returning to New York theatre after receiving an Emmy nomination for his guest starring role in "House, M.D." Jim Norton will be reprising his role as Richard Harkin, for which he received the 2007 Olivier Award.

Conleth Hill is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association. Ciarán Hinds is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association.

The creative team includes Rae Smith (set and costume design), Neil Austin (lighting design), and Mathew Smethurst-Evans (sound design).

The Seafarer is the latest National Theatre production to be produced on Broadway by Boyett Ostar Productions. Previous productions include Alan Bennett's Tony Award-winning The History Boys directed by NT director, Nicholas Hytner, as well as the recent productions of Coram Boy, Jumpers, Democracy and The Pillowman.

For information, visit www.SeafarerThePlay.com.

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