September 2015 – A WORLD PREMIERE
The Customs House, South Shields
Script adaptation by Paul Dunn
By permission from Sheil Land Associates Ltd (who look after the Cookson Estate), this was the world premiere of Catherine Cookson’s The Cinder Path, at The Customs House theatre in South Shields – Dame Catherine’s home town.
The project started after a production of The Fifteen Streets the previous year, which had veteran North-East director Jackie Fielding at the helm, and in which Paul Dunn played the part of Father Bailey. The team enjoyed the production so much that they decided to take on the challenge of producing a brand new adaptation of a Cookson story, and The Cinder Path was chosen, and played to great critical and box office success.
“Brilliantly adapted by local actor Paul Dunn – who also appears in the show.”
Sunderland Echo
“Dunn plays a number of roles in the production without fault.”
British Theatre Guide
“Harrowing and touching, The Cinder Path is a breathtaking production.”
Scarborough News
“A passionate play that has both comedic lighter moments and some pretty intense points.”
North East Theatre Guide
The play has a large cast of characters – 19 male and 10 female – so casting can be extremely flexible. In this world premiere production multi-rolling was adopted, and the whole play was performed by 4 male and 4 female actors.
Original 2015 Cast (in alphabetical order):
Sarah Boulter
Jamie Brown
Paul Dunn
Rosie Fox
James Hedley
Anna Nicholson
Georgia Nicholson
Steven Stobbs
photo credits: George Knox Photography
PAUL DUNN 