THE BRIGHTENING AIR by Conor McPherson
This is a Gate Theatre presentation of The Old Vic production
| ★★★★★ ‘Outstanding’ – The Irish Times | ★★★★★ ‘The finest play of the year’ – The i |
| ★★★★★ ‘A masterpiece from a superb dramatist’ – Morning Star |
ABOUT:
Set in a rural homestead in Ireland in the 1980s, The Brightening Air is a haunting new play about longing, magic and the fates that tear us apart.
Adult siblings, Billie and Stephen, share their family home in their own semi-functional way. Until their excommunicated uncle, Fr Pierre, and estranged brother, Dermot, arrive to disturb it all, awakening hidden forces with devastating consequences.
From the author of The Weir and Girl from North County, The Brightening Air is ‘Audacious, hilarious and achingly moving,’ The Evening Standard.
Winner of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award.
| Written and Directed by Conor McPherson |
Conor McPherson was born in Dublin and attended UCD where he started to write and direct. His plays include The Weir, Girl from the North Country (with Bob Dylan), The Seafarer, The Night Alive, Shining City, Port Authority, This Lime Tree Bower, and St Nicholas. Awards for his work include the Laurence Olivier Award, New York Critics Circle Award, Evening Standard Award, London Critics Circle Award, and five Tony Award nominations. |
BOOKING INFORMATION:
THE BRIGHTENING AIR runs at the Gate Theatre from 17 July 2026 to 30 August 2026.
| Previews | From Friday 17 July 2026 |
| Opening Night | Wednesday 22 July 2026 |
| Closing Night | Sunday 30 August 2026 |
| Times | Evening Shows: Café and Bar: 6:30pm | Doors: 7:00pm | Show: 7:30pm
Matinee Shows: Café and Bar: 2:00pm | Doors: 1:30pm | Show: 2:00pm |
| ISL-Interpreted Performance | There will be an ISL-Interpreted Performance of The Brightening Air on Saturday, 22 August at 2pm. |
| Accessibility | In advance of booking, we kindly ask that patrons with accessibility requirements to contact boxoffice@gate-theatre.ie |
| Offers | Group Offer (6+): 10% discount for group bookings of 6+. T&Cs apply. You can redeem this offer by contacting the Gate Theatre Box Office only. This offer is not available online. Subject to availability. Not redeemable in conjunction with any other offer. Rate applicable for groups of 6 or more. Senior Offer: |
CAST:
CREATIVES:
| Writer and Director | Conor McPherson |
| Set and Costume Designer | Rae Smith |
| Lighting Designer | Mark Henderson |
| Sound Designer | Gregory Clarke |
| Movement and Intimacy | Lucy Hind |
| Casting Director | Serena Hill |
Photos by Manuel Harlan
Building Upkeep Levy
As a registered charity, your support of the Gate Theatre is vitally important. All tickets purchased for Gate Theatre productions now include a €1.50 Building Upkeep Levy to help us maintain, enhance and invest in our historic landmark building. It helps us provide a world-class theatrical experience for our audiences, artists and local communities, while also safeguarding it for future generations. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing and invaluable support of the Gate and its work.
