The play received its first public reading in an early version at the Finborough Theatre, London, in 1995 in a season that included Shopping and Fucking by Mark Ravenhill.[5] It premiered on 13 November 2003 at the Royal National Theatre, directed by John Crowley. The original production starred David Tennant as Katurian, Jim Broadbent as Tupolski, Nigel Lindsay as Ariel and Adam Godley as Michal [6] The play opened on Broadway on 10 April 2005 at the Booth Theatre and closed on 18 September 2005. Directed by John Crowley, the cast included Jeff Goldblum.[7]
The play was revived from 10 June 2023 to 2 September 2023 at the Duke of York's Theatre in London's West End, directed by Matthew Dunster.[8][9][10]
- Lily Allen - Katurian
- Steve Pemberton – Tupolski
- Paul Kaye – Ariel
- Matthew Tennyson - Michal
- Rebecca Lee - Mother
- Daniel Millar - Father
Original Broadway production
| Year | Award ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Tony Award | Best Play | Martin McDonagh | Nominated |
| Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play | Billy Crudup | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play | Michael Stuhlbarg | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Play | John Crowley | Nominated | ||
| Best Scenic Design of a Play | Scott Pask | Won | ||
| Best Lighting Design of a Play | Brian MacDevitt | Won | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Play | Martin McDonagh | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Michael Stuhlbarg | Won | ||
| Jeff Goldblum | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Sound Design | Paul Arditti | Won | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Actor in a Play | Billy Crudup | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Jeff Goldblum | Won | ||
| Outstanding Director of a Play | John Crowley | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Scenic Design | Scott Pask | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Brian MacDevitt | Nominated | ||
| Drama League Award | Distinguished Production of a Play | Nominated | ||
| New York Drama Critic's Circle Award | Best Foreign Play | Martin McDonagh | Won |
