The Intruder, Jason O'Toole's highly anticipated new play, is set to be staged at The New Theatre in Temple Bar, Dublin in spring 2022.

The New Theatre's artistic director, Anthony Fox, became interested in the play after hearing about the filmed rehearsed reading, which was premiered on Hot Press YouTube, and has subsequently racked up a hugely impressive number of views. He decided to stage the play after one of his dramaturgs gave the new, rewritten version a glowing report.

The Intruder was inspired by the infamous John Gilligan interview O'Toole carried out for Hot Press in Portlaoise Prison – which caused considerable controversy. Featuring a new score by renowned Irish musician Gerry Leonard, famed for his work with David Bowie, the rehearsed reading boasted a stunning cast. Directed by Stephen Jones, it starred Rex Ryan (pictured), Jason Barry and Charlene Gleeson – all players at the top of their game.

“I can’t wait to get the play up on the boards at The New Theatre," says Jason Barry – a hugely respected actor, best known for his iconic role as Tommy Ryan in Titanic. "I thoroughly enjoyed the staged reading we did earlier in the year but having Jason O’Toole’s brilliant play up on stage and getting to play the incredibly dark, funny and complex character of Old Nick in front of a live audience is going to lead to an electric night of theatre.”

O'Toole is a widely published writer and journalist, who is currently a columnist with the Irish Sunday Mirror. He has also worked extensively for Hot Press. He reveals that he's had a "great urge to write for the stage" ever since watching an "electrifying production" of Frank McGuinness' play, Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, ten years ago at The New Theatre.

"I even had the theatre’s stage in my mind’s eye from the get-go," he recalls. "I also wrote the play with Jason Barry in mind, so it is all coming together perfectly.

“So it feels like fate that Anthony Fox has taken such a keen interest in The Intruder after he heard about the rehearsed reading recorded at the Civic Theatre, which was first streamed by Hot Press in June."

He notes that the rehearsed reading "was not only a great opportunity to get eyeballs on the play and create a buzz," but also "to see what clicked and what didn’t quite gel with the work-in-progress."

"I’ve subsequently done a re-write, as is the nature of the beast," he resumes. "But all good fun.

“Again, it felt very much like a ‘sort of homecoming’ when Niall Stokes at Hot Press agreed to stream the reading on Hot Press YouTube because the idea of writing a play about a criminal who breaks into a reporter’s home in the dead of night to psychologically terrorise and torture him was inspired by my own dealings with the likes of John Gilligan, Dutchy Holland and Christy ‘Bronco’ Dunne when I interviewed them all for Hot Press."

Anthony Fox adds: “We're really excited about staging the world premiere of Jason O'Toole's first play The Intruder in spring 2022, as The New Theatre is predominantly a writer’s venue with an emphasis on discovering exciting new Irish talent.”

Stay tuned for further news about the upcoming production of The Intruder. You can also revisit our recent interview with Rex Ryan here.

Watch the rehearsed reading of The Intruder on Hot Press YouTube below: