Playwright Conor McPherson's work will be seen at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin for the first time next year, with an Irish premiere of his Olivier Award-nominated The Seafarer, while a Brian Friel play is to be produced by the national theatre for the first time in many years.
Director Fiach MacConghail yesterday announced highlights of the theatre's 2008 programme, including a contemporary production of Romeo and Julietin February, with Aaron Monaghan and Gemma Reeves in the title roles, and Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband, directed by Neil Bartlett, in mid-August.
McPherson's play, currently on Broadway, will be directed by Jimmy Fay and opens at the end of April.
David Leveaux will direct Brian Friel's version of Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters, opening in June.
The 4X4 season of contemporary drama in the Peacock next year includes Sam Shepard's Fool For Love in February, directed by Annie Ryan with Don Wycherley in the lead.
This programme also includes Patrick Mason directing Seamus Heaney's version of Antigone, The Burial at Thebes.
Other highlights of the Abbey programme include choreographer William Forsythe during the Dublin dance festival, a family circus show, Circo de la Sombra, and readings of six short plays commissioned from emerging Irish writers.