Hollywood actor Matthew Broderick is set to strengthen his Irish ties even more this summer with a starring role at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
The actor, who has strong family links to south west Donegal, will appear in Ulster American, written by David Ireland and directed by Ciarán O’Reilly.
The critically acclaimed production by the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York is transferring to the Abbey Stage for a limited two-week run from Wednesday 12th August to Saturday 22nd August 2026.
Broderick, best known for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Producers, will star alongside Max Baker and Belfast-born Geraldine Hughes.
The role comes as Broderick and his wife, Sex And The City star Sarah Jessica Parker, continue to deepen their connection with Donegal, where the Broderick family has had a home near Kilcar for more than 50 years.
The couple and their children are regular visitors to the county, and their Donegal base has long been a treasured part of family life.
Kilcar now has an underage GAA tournament created in memory of Matthew’s parents, James and Patricia Broderick, who were great supporters of the local club.
Last week, Broderick and SJP were granted planning permission for a further extension to their coastal holiday home at Roelough, near Kilcar.
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The family’s Donegal connection has also deepened through Matthew’s sister, Reverend Janet Broderick, who has recently taken up ministry in the Church of Ireland Iniskeel parish in south west Donegal.
No doubt Broderick will return to the north west during this theatre run.
Geraldine Hughes, Matthew Broderick, and Max Baker in Irish Rep’s 2026 Production of Ulster American – Photo by Carol Rosegg
Ulster American is described as a theatrical hand grenade disguised as a drawing-room comedy.
The play follows Ulster-born playwright Ruth Davenport on the evening before rehearsals begin for her new work. She visits the home of English director Leigh Carver, along with Oscar-winning Hollywood star Jay Conway who has just arrived in London to star in the world premiere. What begins as a cordial gathering to discuss the upcoming production quickly descends into a brutal psychological brawl as egos, ideologies, and historical baggage collide.
Under the sharp direction of Producing Artistic Director at Irish Repertory Theatre, Ciarán O’Reilly and ‘superb performances’ (Cititour) by Max Baker, Matthew Broderick and Belfast-born Geraldine Hughes, Ulster American explosively reveals some raw contradictions at the heart of modern storytelling and political posturing.
Commenting on the announcement, Co-Director of the Abbey Theatre, Artistic Director Caitríona McLaughlin, a native of Carndonagh, said: “Ulster American, particularly in the Irish Repertory Theatre context, brings us into a transatlantic dialogue about power, authorship, and identity – who gets to tell the story, and at whose expense. It reminds us too, that there are always consequences.
“Personally, I love David Ireland’s work. He has a rare talent for making people laugh at the worst parts of themselves. His collaboration with the Irish Repertory Theatre and the opportunity to bring Ulster American to the Abbey Theatre just felt right.
“Having seen the play in New York, the cast are exceptional and Ciarán, the director, presents the play with both a beautifully pitched, understated humanity and an unapologetic, brazen directness.”
Ciarán O’Reilly, Director of Ulster American and Producing Artistic Director at Irish Repertory Theatre added: “Irish Repertory Theatre is thrilled to land this politically charged thriller right on the stage of the Abbey Theatre. David Ireland’s Ulster American takes no prisoners—and while New York audiences basked in the outrageous hilarity of this acerbic play, the political satire lands better closer to home. I cannot wait for Irish audiences to grasp the nettle and roar.”
