Lyndsey Turner makes her Donmar directorial debut with Brian Friel’s touching play about a young man on the verge of a new beginning.

The play that launched Friel’s career, Philadelphia, Here I Come! follows a young man on the verge of a new beginning, searching for the strength to say goodbye.

Taking place the night before he leaves his childhood town in Ballybeg, the tragicomedy tells of Gar’s dream of Cadillacs, Coke floats and girls across the ocean; a dream of America.

Turner, who is best known for her direction in hit show Posh, will direct Rory Keenan in Philadelphia, Here I Come!, following his role in last year’s Dublin Carol which played as part of the Donmar Trafalgar season. Keenan’s other theatre credits include The Kitchen (National Theatre), Lakeboat/Prairie Du Chien (Arcola) and The Big Fellah (Lyric Hammersmith).

Paul Reid, who makes his Donmar debut in the production, joins Keenan to play the role of Gar, a character split into two personas and performances, Gar in private (Keenan) and Gar in public (Reid).