McPherson's Weir Extends Run to March 2000

The Olivier award-winning production of Conor McPherson s The Weir has extended its run at the Royal Court Downstairs (at the Duke of York's Theatre). The play, which began its current West End run in October 1998, is now booking to 25 March 2000.

The Weir focuses on a group of bachelors who gather in their local pub one afternoon and compete to charm Valerie, a pretty young newcomer from Dublin. The discussion round the bar wends its way through friendly jibes, local history lessons and bashful flirtations before turning spooky, as each recalls their favourite ghost stories.

The Weir won two Laurence Oliviers this year - scooping Best New Play and Best Supporting Performance for Brendan Coyle, who played the genial barman in the original cast. Its other accolades include the Evening Standard Most Promising Newcomer Award for McPherson and Best New Play honours in 1997 at both the Critics Circle and George Devine Awards.

This is the third run for The Weir at the Royal Court - it was originally commissioned for the Royal Court Upstairs - and its first commercial run. Productions have also transferred to Broadway and toured the UK. In the West End, the current all-Irish cast is Sean Gleeson, Tom Hickey, Tony Rohr and Cathy White.

The Weir is directed by Ian Rickson, with design by Rae Smith, lighting by Paule Constable, music by Stephen Warbeck and sound by Paul Arditti.

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