Opening the new season at The Old Vic, John Crowley directs J M Synge's rich Irish comedy starring Niamh Cusack, Ruth Negga and Robert Sheehan.

Robert Sheehan, star of E4's highly-acclaimed Misfits, will make his professional stage debut in an Old Vic revival of The Playboy Of The Western World this autumn.

Sheehan plays dreamer Christy Mahon, who takes refuge in a pub, claiming to have killed his oppressive father. His tales of bravery and danger immediately charm the locals, but when it becomes apparent that there is more to his stories than first thought, the mood of the community begins to change.

Negga, who plays the landlord's daughter, recently played Ophelia to Rory Kinnear's Hamlet at the National theatre, where she also appeared opposite Helen Mirren in Phedre.

The hugely experienced Cusack returns to the Old Vic, where she previously appeared in Dancing At Lughnasa and Cause Celebre.

Sheehan, Negga and Cusack are directed by John Crowley, who has previously directed The Pillowman at the National Theatre, A Behanding In Spokane on Broadway and Tales From Hollywood and Juno And The Paycock at the Donmar Warehouse.