An adaptation of Louise O’Neill’s novel about sexual consent, Asking For It, is to have its UK première at Birmingham REP in January 2020.
Landmark Productions and The Everyman's play had a sell-out season at Ireland’s National Theatre and won the Audience Choice award at the Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards in 2018.
Lauren Coe from Dublin takes the lead. She originated the role of Emma in the première of Asking For It at the Everyman Theatre, Cork in 2018.
Asking For It was O’Neill’s second novel. It won book of the year at the Irish Book Awards in 2015 and spent 52 weeks in the Irish top 10 bestseller lists.
It was adapted by Meadhbh McHugh in collaboration with Annabelle Comyn. McHugh is an Irish playwright living in New York. Comyn who also directs Asking For It has worked with The Abbey, Druid, The Gate and Dublin Theatre Festival among others.
Set design is by Paul O’Mahony, lighting design by Sinéad Mckenna, music and sound design by Philip Stewart, video design by Jack Phelan, costume design by Niamh Lunny and movement direction by Sue Mythen.
Asking For It will run at Birmingham REP from Wednesday 29 January until Saturday 15 February.