Although Hare did not mention the casting, Smith and Dench are expected to follow the play across the Atlantic. Hare told Playbill On-Line Jan. 9 that he figured Breath of Life could run forever on the strength of their performances, if Smith were not being called away to film the third installment of the "Harry Potter" series. "From the first preview, the audience understood they were seeing two fantastic actresses and I don't think there has been an empty seat since," Hare said.

Directed by Howard Davies, Breath of Life explores the relationship of two women whose lives are linked by a man. During a single, extraordinary night, Madeleine Palmer (Smith), a retired curator, and Angela Beale (Dench), a popular novelist, who have met only once before, spend an evening together in a way that echoes the hidden courses of their lives.

In 1999, Hare experienced a Broadway triple play when his Amy's View (starring Dench), Via Dolorosa (which marked Hare's acting debut) and The Blue Room (which starred Nicole Kidman) opened over one season. Other works include The Judas Kiss, Skylight, Racing Demon and Plenty. Film pundits have mentioned Hare as a possible Academy Award nominee for adapting Michael Cunningham's book, "The Hours," into a film, which also stars Kidman.