Liam Neeson to open In The Crucible on February 16

Richard Eyre's revival of The Crucible starring Liam Neeson will preview at the Virginia Theatre, Broadway on February 16.

Neeson will play the leading role of John Proctor with Laura Linney as his wife.

Linney was nominated for an Oscar for the film You Can Count On Me.

Arthur Miller's classic drama about witch-hunts in 18th century Massachusetts was originally intended as an allegory about the anti-Communist hearings in the US in the 1950s.

David Richenthal, who is producing The Crucible, also has a revival of Long Day's Journey Into Night opening in Chicago in February.

It stars Brian Dennehy as James Tyrone.