Louise O'Neill Asking For It wins Audience Choice Award at Irish Theatre Awards

Asking for It shines an unflinching light on the experience of a young woman whose life is changed forever by a horrific act of violence.

The who’s who of the Irish theatre world took over Dublin’s National Concert Hall last night for The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards.

And it was the stage adaption Louise O'Neill’s novel, Asking for It who turned up trumps by taking home the Audience Choice Award with over 3,000 public votes.

More than 3000 votes were cast for the Audience Choice Prize and we can finally reveal it’s a landslide win for ”Asking For It” @LandmarkIreland @CorkMidsummer @AbbeyTheatre @IrishTimes #ITTheatreawards @TileStyle pic.twitter.com/mdxgKUxIhQ

— Irish Times Culture (@IrishTimesCultr) March 31, 2019

Commenting on the Award, Louise O’Neill said: "To win the Audience Choice award is gratifying as this is a play that asks so much of the viewer - it demands that we bear witness to survivors' stories, that we refuse to turn away and ignore the reality of the world in which we live. I hope Asking for It will continue to win the hearts of audiences all over Ireland, and start many more vital conversations about sexual violence in this country."

The story centres on the experience of a young woman whose life is changed forever by a horrific act of violence.

One night in a small town in Co. Cork, where everyone knows everyone, things spiral terrifyingly out of control.

Adapted by Meadhbh McHugh, in collaboration with Annabelle Comyn, and starring a hugely talented young cast, the show is leaving audiences stunned.

The initial Cork dates quickly sold out, and the following run at the Abbey Theatre also sold out well in advance of the production even opening there and drew an overwhelming reaction on social media.

The play attracted a whole new audience - 60% of bookers were coming to the Cork’s Everyman Theatre for the first time.

This timely play really resonates with audiences and the producers are delighted to say that the production will return to The Everyman, Cork, from September 27 to October 5, and to The Gaiety Theatre from October 9 for a strictly limited run.