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Louise O'Neill is a multi award-winning Irish writer. Her first novel, Only Ever Yours, which was initially released as a Young Adult novel, was subsequently released in an adult edition. Her second novel, Asking for It, caused a sensation, won the Book of Year at the Irish Book Awards in 2015, and has spent 52 weeks in the Irish top 10 bestseller lists. Bandit are developing a three-part made-for-TV film adaptation of the novel, which is in the early stages of development, and a documentary of the same name - borne out of the novel, and presented by O'Neill - aired on RTÉ television, the Irish national broadcaster, in November 2016.
O'Neill also writes as a journalist for a variety of Irish national newspapers and magazines, covering feminist issues, fashion and pop culture.
Welcoming the prospect of a stage adaptation, Louise O'Neill said: "Since the novel has been published, I have been overwhelmed by how people have responded. I receive emails from men and women all over the world who want to share their stories with me. They tell me that this book has helped them endure. It has made them feel as if they are not alone. They say that this book has, finally, given them a voice.
I have been humbled by these emails but it reinforced my belief in the power of art. I believe that art is not just a mirror, showing us our true selves, but it has the ability to shape the way in which we see ourselves, that it has the power to transform the world that we live in. Culture can change culture. I am truly eager to see what sort of change a theatrical adaptation of Asking For It could enact."
Director Annabelle Comyn said: "When I read Asking For It by Louise O'Neill it was like a punch to the stomach. I want my daughter, and her friends, and this next generation to be informed, made aware, and enabled and encouraged to speak openly about an important, complex and tricky and at times deeply divisive subject. Let it be controversial; let us look at ourselves."
Landmark Productions and the Everyman, Cork will co-produce the world premiere of the stage version of Asking for It in June 2018.
The production is co-commissioned by the Abbey Theatre, which will present the production on its main stage in November 2018.
In association with Fighting Words Cork at Graffiti Theatre Company, Cork Midsummer Festival will deliver a participatory and community programme, working with young people and schools to champion the voices and creativity of 14-19 year olds.
Conceived as a large-scale, technically ambitious production, the production will be adapted by Meadhbh McHugh and will be directed by leading Irish director Annabelle Comyn (Best Director, Irish Times Theatre Awards 2014).
International partners include the Theatre Royal Stratford East in London, and Irish Arts Center in New York.
The production was announced today as one of eleven projects supported by the Arts Council under its Open Call funding round. Open Call is a programme which funds ambitious, once-off artistic projects by some of Ireland's best artists and arts organisations. Other projects supported by the Arts Council under this round include The Marriage of Heaven and Hell by Michael Keegan-Dolan for Teac Damhsa (formerly Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre); Home Theatre (Ireland) presented by Draoicht, which will commission and produce 30 one-person plays, to be inspired by residents of Dublin 15 and performed in their homes; and The Lost O'Casey, a reframing through a contemporary lens by Louise Lowe's ANU Productions of a lost play by Sean O'Casey, Nannie's Night Out, which was performed only once at the Abbey Theatre in 1924.
