Irish actor Brendan Gleeson is set to make his long-awaited West End debut in Conor McPherson’s acclaimed play, The Weir, showcasing a poignant and atmospheric story rooted in Irish folklore and human connection.
Brendan Gleeson, the distinguished Irish actor, is poised to make his long-awaited West End debut in a revival of Conor McPherson’s acclaimed play, The Weir. The production is set to open at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre on 12 September 2025, following an initial run at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre from 8 August to 6 September. Gleeson, best known for his film roles including Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter series and his recent acclaimed performances in The Banshees of Inisherin and Paddington 2, returns to the stage after a decade-long hiatus. This marks a significant moment in his career, as critics and audiences alike anticipate his portrayal of Jack, a mechanic with a brooding presence in a remote Irish pub.
The Weir is a poignant and atmospheric play that portrays a quiet evening in a rural pub on Ireland’s west coast in 1996. The story unfolds through the ghostly tales exchanged by three local men and the barman, attempting to capture the attention of Valerie, a young woman newly arrived from Dublin. Gleeson’s character Jack delivers one of the play’s central supernatural stories—a chilling account involving a ‘fairy road’ near Valerie’s home—which adds to the play’s haunting, mythic undercurrent. The production’s blend of the mundane and the eerie reflects Ireland’s confrontation with its changing identity in the late 20th century, touched by a folklore steeped in both nostalgia and unease.
Critics have praised Gleeson’s performance as a towering and enigmatic presence, a man whose physicality and nuanced portrayal bring depth to McPherson’s lyrical dialogue. His embodiment of Jack, donning a weathered black suit and exuding a craggy, rural authenticity, underscores the timelessness of the play’s themes. Alongside him, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor brings a lively charm as Finbar, a small-time local businessman, while Seán McGinley’s Jim offers a quieter, spectral character who recounts a particularly unsettling graveyard story. Owen McDonnell provides a steady, grounded performance as Brendan, the barman, anchoring the ensemble with understated warmth. The arrival of Kate Phillips as Valerie introduces a dramatic turn to the narrative, her heartbreaking revelation casting new light on the evening’s intimate confessions.
Originally premiering in 1997, The Weir has earned its place as a modern Irish classic, notable for its tender exploration of loneliness, human connection, and the shadows of the past. Despite being almost three decades old, its resonance remains powerful, with the play continuing to captivate audiences with its poetic structure and haunting atmosphere. The longevity of The Weir is a testament to McPherson’s skill in crafting a narrative that balances warmth, humour, and the supernatural, offering an experience described by Gleeson himself as “profoundly moving, inspiring and ultimately hopeful.”
This current production, directed by McPherson and co-produced by Landmark Productions, highlights the enduring relevance of the play. It represents not only a significant moment in Gleeson’s career but also a richly textured theatrical event, inviting audiences to gather around the metaphorical pub fire and contemplate the stories that shape our lives and our landscapes. Gleeson’s debut in the West End, after years of screen prominence, promises to be a milestone both for the actor and for contemporary Irish theatre.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the latest publication date being 10 August 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 1 May 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative has not appeared more than 7 days earlier. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([theatre-news.com](https://www.theatre-news.com/news/UK/120322/First-look-at-Brendan-Gleeson-in-The-Weir?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Brendan Gleeson and Conor McPherson are consistent with their previous statements. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating originality. No variations in quote wording were found.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, The Daily Mail, which adds credibility. However, the Daily Mail is known for sensationalist reporting, which may affect reliability. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Brendan Gleeson’s return to the stage in ‘The Weir’ are plausible and supported by multiple reputable sources. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim was found. The tone is appropriately formal for a press release.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is current and based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The quotes are consistent with previous statements, indicating originality. The source is reputable but known for sensationalist reporting, which may affect reliability. The claims are plausible and supported by multiple reputable sources, though the lack of supporting detail from other outlets is a concern. Overall, the narrative passes the fact-check with medium confidence.
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