The Nap will be performed at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, which has hosted snooker's annual world championship since 1977.

Unbroken star O'Connell will portray a talented but troubled young cueman in the thriller/comedy, which is directed by veteran actor Richard Wilson and will examine the 'dark side' of the sport.

O'Connell tells Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, "(It is a) very endearing play about a world I'm not experienced in, but word on the street is that it can be quite a dark, sometimes secluded, way of life... Sheffield is the world centre for snooker!"

The Nap opens next March (16).