Sydney Theatre Company has announced that Yael Stone has been cast in its upcoming production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane, the critically acclaimed 1996 black comedy by Martin McDonagh. She replaces Rebel Wilson in the role of Maureen Folan, who dropped out of the play earlier this year due to an “unforeseen scheduling conflict”.

Yael Stone and Noni Hazlehurst for Sydney Theatre Company’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Photo © Rene Vaile

The Beauty Queen of Leenane represents Stone’s return to the Australian stage after accusing actor Geoffrey Rush of inappropriate behaviour during Belvoir’s 2010/11 production of The Diary of a Madman. Rush has denied the allegations, which were initially published in The New York Times and detailed in an interview with the ABC in December.

Stone had been scheduled to star in STC’s production of Saint Joan in January last year but withdrew due to pregnancy. The actor is best known for playing Lorna Morello in the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.

STC has also announced that Noni Hazlehurst has been cast as Mag, mother to Stone’s character. Incidentally, the actor was among a number of board members and executives...