The Brightening Air Tickets

Old Vic Theatre

Opens 10th April

Step into The Brightening Air, Conor McPherson’s new play at The Old Vic, where family, memory, and home collide in 1980s Ireland.

Tickets for The Brightening Air

Don’t miss The Brightening Air, a brand-new work by acclaimed playwright Conor McPherson, premiering at The Old Vic for a limited run. Known for his powerful and evocative storytelling, McPherson's latest play is set in 1980s Ireland and promises to captivate audiences with its deep exploration of memory, family, and the meaning of home.

This world premiere at The Old Vic invites audiences to immerse themselves in an emotionally rich narrative set in a decaying farmhouse. Tickets for this limited engagement will be available soon, offering a unique opportunity to experience the next chapter in McPherson’s remarkable career.

About The Brightening Air

Set in 1980s rural Ireland, The Brightening Air follows siblings Stephen and Billie, who are doing their best to maintain a sense of normalcy in their dilapidated family farmhouse. Their quiet lives, however, are soon disrupted by a series of unexpected visitors: an ex-clergyman uncle with dubious intentions, a sister-in-law in desperate search of a miracle, and their prodigal brother whose return brings chaos in tow.

As these visitors descend upon their home, long-buried tensions rise to the surface, forcing Stephen and Billie to confront the past they’ve tried to forget. McPherson’s poignant exploration of memory, home, and the unseen forces that shape our lives offers a captivating reflection on how much of living is shaped by what we choose to remember — or forget. Through its richly drawn characters, the play invites the audience to consider the ties that bind us to both place and family, and the sometimes elusive nature of fate.

The Brightening Air Cast and Creative Team

McPherson’s previous works, such as The Weir and Girl from the North Country, have earned him a reputation for creating emotionally resonant narratives filled with rich characters, and The Brightening Air will likely continue this tradition.

Whilst the cast is yet to be announced, the creative team will likely employ a minimalist yet impactful design, often a hallmark of McPherson’s productions, to evoke the rural decay of the farmhouse and underscore the play’s themes of memory and time. McPherson’s direction is known for its atmospheric precision, using lighting and sound to heighten the emotional depth of his characters’ journeys.

The Brightening Air comes as another milestone in Conor McPherson’s distinguished career, following his celebrated works such as The Seafarer and The Weir. With each of his plays, McPherson has demonstrated a masterful ability to explore the human condition, often through the lens of the supernatural or unexplained forces. His latest play continues this tradition, this time focusing on the intimate, yet universally resonant, story of a family coming to terms with their past.

The Old Vic, with its long-standing history of premiering groundbreaking theatrical works, serves as the perfect venue for this world premiere. The theatre’s dedication to bringing powerful new voices and stories to the stage aligns with McPherson’s talent for pushing the boundaries of contemporary drama.

The Brightening Air Tickets at The Old Vic

Secure your tickets for The Brightening Air at The Old Vic, where Conor McPherson’s latest work takes audiences on a reflective journey through family, memory, and home. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a world premiere from one of the most compelling playwrights working today. Be sure to book your seats early for this limited-run production.

16 Apr 2025 - 14 Jun 2025

Old Vic Theatre

14+

Plays

Show Times

	Matinee	Evening
Monday	-	7.30pm
Tuesday	-	7.30pm
Wednesday	2.30pm	7.30pm
Thursday	-	7.30pm
Friday	-	7.30pm
Saturday	2.30pm	7.30pm
Sunday	-	-

Performances start at 2.30pm.

Performances start at 7.30pm.