“Piper’s in the building,” an excited theatre-goer squealed. The Doctor Who actress is in town filming gothic drama Penny Dreadful with Hollywood heartthrob Josh Hartnett, but took a well-deserved night off to attend the opening of A Tender Thing, written by her close pal Ben Power.

“It’s nice to have a few familiar faces here,” Power said as he and Piper darted between the bar and smoking area.

The play, which stars Owen Roe and Olwen Fouéré, sees everyone’s favourite star crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet reunite. Only this time, they’re in their 60s and growing old together.

Olwen’s husband actor David Heap chatted to playwright Marina Carr as he waited for his leading lady to emerge from the wings. “We fell for each other when we were performing here in the Project,” he revealed. Cabaret singer Camille O’Sullivan looked every inch the 1930s femme fatale in a black ensemble and slick of scarlet lipstick.

Director of the Irish Arts Centre New York, Nik Quaife, had flown in for the occasion.

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