Review: Cinder Path at South Shields Customs House

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World Premiere of Cookson Classic

The Cinder Path

South Shields Customs House

Wednesday 9^th to Saturday 12^th September 2015.

Fresh off the heels of Geordie The Musical (North East Theatre Guide review) comes a hit drama based a story by one of the regions most successful authors. Catherine Cookson’s tale pulls together the friction caused by battles between classes, sexes and countries and wraps it up in a tender love story.

Photo: George Knox

Paul Dunn has adapted the popular novel into a tight drama that went down a storm to a packed Customs House.  Central to the drama is young Charlie Macfell, played by the versatile Jamie Brown, who rarely leaves the stage.  Charlie may be at school but his father is both trying to marry him off and ensure he is capable of running their farm. He doesn’t approve of some of the harsh ways in which he deals with his staff.

Photo: George Knox

As landlord to some of his staff, his Father is able to wield considerable power. At the start of the show we witness the lad from the workhouse, Ginger Slater, being punished on the cinder path for his apparent laziness.  As is often the case, what goes round, comes around and we also see Ginger grow as the plot develops. James Hedley does a great job as the lad makes the most of his opportunities.

Photo: George Knox

Of course Cookson always develops strong female characters.  Sarah Boulter has great pathos as Nellie. She is able to show empathy whilst never being weak. At times Charlie’s inexperience makes the character comes across like Fast Shows Ralph from the Ralph and Ted sketches. The ladies in Charlie’s life are instrumental in the decisions that he makes and the path that he follows. However, as Charlie heads off to fight in The Great War, he grows in maturity though many events are beyond his control, such is the nature of war.

Photo: George Knox

The Cinder Path features a strong supporting cast who perform a large variety of demanding roles. Paul Dunn, for example, was the aggressive Dad in one scene and the solicitor shortly after.  Rosie Fox, Anna Nicholson and Georgia Nicholson play the other women, and some of the soldiers, in Charlie’s life with a wonderful presence. Paul is joined by Steven Stobbs who plays a number of allies to the sometimes hapless Charlie.

Photo: George Knox

The much missed Jackie Fielding was directing the show with Ion Production’s Gareth Hunter until her untimely death. The creative pair have delivered a passionate play that has both comedic lighter moments and some pretty intense points.   The movement of the cast, particularly during the war battle scenes was fluid.

Jamie Brown leads a strong cast in a production which is a must for the many fans of South Shield’s born Catherine Cookson. The show represents another cracking world premiere at South Shield’s Customs House.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Read the North East Theatre Guide Preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/preview-cinder-path-at-south-shields.html

Tickets:

Photo: George Knox

The Cinder Path runs from Wednesday 9^th to Saturday 12^th September 2015 at the Customs House with matinees on the 10^th and 12^th. For tickets contact The Customs House on 0191 4541234 or visit www.customshouse.co.uk.

Promo photography by George Knox (weblink)

Preview: The Cinder Path at South Shields Customs House

Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide.  Read about JoWhereToGo and its PR and photography services here.

World Premiere of Cookson Classic

The Cinder Path

South Shields Customs House

Wednesday 9^th to Saturday 12^th September 2015.

A top South Tyneside theatre producer will be celebrating his tenth anniversary by presenting the world premiere of Catherine Cookson’s The Cinder Path.

The show is the first book of the late author’s to be adapted for the stage in over 20 years and was only granted after months of negotiations with the Cookson Estate.

Gareth Hunter, 35, director of ION Productions said “The process was long and detailed but ultimately the success and critical acclaim of our production of The Fifteen Streets last year convinced them to allow us the exclusive rights.

The Cinder Path is a fantastic drama which spans the years and follows the life of Charlie Macfell, a man in search of himself but being driven by outside forces, which will carry the audiences from rural Northumberland to the horror of the trenches in World War One.”

Dame Catherine Cookson was, at her prime, the UK’s most widely read novelist with sales exceeding 100 million, and remained the most borrowed author from public libraries for 17 years, losing the title only in 2002, 4 years after her death.

She remains popular all over the world, with generations of readers enjoying her work. Gareth added: “Since posting our promotional photos on Facebook I have had messages from people around the UK, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, asking if the show will be touring near them in the future.”

The production will feature some established North East actors such as Jamie Brown (Hadaway Harry, Death at Dawn), James Hedley (Geordie the Musical, Byker Grove) and Paul Dunn (I Left My Heart in Roker Park), who has also adapted the book for the stage. It also sees new faces with Georgina Nicholson, Rosie Fox and Anna Nicholson returning to the area.

Tickets:

The Cinder Path runs from Wednesday 9^th to Saturday 12^th September 2015 at the Customs House with matinees on the 10^th and 12^th. For tickets contact The Customs House on 0191 4541234 or visit www.customshouse.co.uk.

Promo photography by George Knox (weblink)

Review: The Fifteen Streets at Newcastle People’s Theatre

A Tale Of Love And Ambition

The Fifteen Streets

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Until Saturday 18^th July 2015.

I must start this review with a confession. I have never read one of Catherine Cookson’s books. However I spent the summer of 1992 taking bus loads of holiday makers on an afternoon tour around South Shields under the banner of “Catherine Cookson Country”. It was, without doubt one of our most popular excursions. The lass, Catherine Ann “Kate” McMullen, from Tyneside, who had, without doubt, a tough start in life, was indeed one of the most popular authors in the country, selling over 120 million copies.

Hot on the heels of the announcement that another one of her books, The Cinder Path (NETG link) , is about to have it’s premiere on stage we have the People’s Theatre return to the cautionary tale of The Fifteen Streets. Unusually for this theatre we have a star in the shape of Pat Dunn (Hebburn, Lucky Numbers NETG Link). Joining Pat is a strong cast that have given this theatre its reputation for quality theatre.

Cookson describes the tough existence in an area of South Tyneside called The Fifteen Streets. In 1910 you either worked or starved. Even if you worked, money was stretched to cover rent and fuel, leaving little for some of the larger families to feed on. Bread and dripping was what awaited the dock workers when they came home. The play also reflects upon the hold that the Catholic Church had on its residents.

At the centre of the story are the O’Briens. A large family of dockworkers with mother Mary Ellen (Sarah McLane) holding together the seven with all of her matriarchal might. Significant children include the affable John in a powerful performance by Craig Fairbairn, who tries to get on in life. Katie (Rhiannon Wilson) is doing well at school and keeps talking about her teacher Mrs Llewellyn (Rachel Scott). Dominic (Ian Willis) fights his father Shane (Sands Dobson) and seems to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

In a close community, in which everyone lives in each others back pockets, there are gossips and kids telling tales. The split set on 2 levels helps separate life in the O’Briens house with the life outside. It was a little difficult to make out some of the comments being made at the very start but it was soon the case that the audience were up on the gossip.

One group of neighbours includes the Kelly family. Mum Hannah (Pat Dunn) tries to keep their daughter Nancy (Alison Carr) on the right track and away from the occasionally violent husband Joe (Jim Simpson). Cookson does not try to add any sugar on the tough relationships nor does she try to portray the male tendency to drink in any romantic way.

A new family move into the area and the gossips note that they have carpet and their clothes are somewhat more dapper. They are the Bracken family who believe in a spirituality which is in direct opposition to the catholic preachings. Peter (Pete McAndrew) has brought his grand-daughter Christine (Jess Chapman) who quickly befriends the O’Brien children. Father O’Malley (Sean Burnside) does not approve of any liaison with this family.

The O'Brien Faily - Photo: Paula Smart

The core of Fifteen Streets is a love story which ignites when John O’Brien meets up with Katie’s teacher. This chance meeting with Mary Llewellyn soon blossoms but it is not a relationship approved of by Mary’s well off parents James (Steve Robertson) and Beatrice (Helga McNeil).  The clash of class coupled with the drive and ambition of John O’Brien leads to an explosive turn of events as the residents get involved. Directors Maggie Childs and John Gray have captured a great series of performances from the talented cast.

Very strong performances from Craig Fairbairn, Rhiannon Wilson, Rachel Scott and Pete McAndrew, supported by a great ensemble, help extend this from a standard historic love story into a great fable. Social mobility is as much an issue as the depravation faced by the dock workers.  The People’s Theatre production of The Fifteen Streets is a fine piece of theatre to finish another great season with and we look forward to next season.

Read the original North East Theatre Guide Preview here: NETG Preview Link

This review was written by Stephen Oliver  the North East Theatre Guide Preview from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com ). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Tickets

The Fifteen Streets adapted by Rob Bettinson, from the novel by Catherine Cookson

Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 July 2015, 7.30pm

The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

Tickets:      £13.50 (Concessions £11)
Box Office: 0191 265 5020

www.peoplestheatre.co.uk 

Preview: The Fifteen Streets at Newcastle People’s Theatre

A school teacher and a docker!

What will they say when this gets about….?

The Fifteen Streets

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 July 2015

Newcastle People’s Theatre are delighted to present Rob Bettinson’s adaptation of the Catherine Cookson favourite The Fifteen Streets.

In early 20^th century Jarrow, life for the O’Brien family is one of bitter struggle for survival in a world of unemployment and grinding poverty. Eldest son and dockworker John O’Brien (Craig Fairbairn – pictured, top left) strives for a better life: one that almost seems within his grasp when he meets a beautiful young school teacher. But the social and religious mores of Edwardian Tyneside forbid such a match.

Adapted for the stage from Catherine Cookson’s best-selling novel, this gripping drama evokes the lives and loves of a bygone age. Both heart-warming and tear-jerking, The Fifteen Streets sees its romantic love story play out against a vivid backdrop of social deprivation and class divides.

The O’Brien family. Photo: Paula Smart.

Often dismissed as a “popular” novelist, Cookson’s writing also has a hard-hitting undercurrent that refuses to shy away from the grim realities of the time, presenting a challenging and seldom-recognised agenda which anticipated the work of more “highbrow” contemporary writers.

We at the People’s are thrilled to present this powerful regional classic by the late Dame Catherine - an old friend and benefactor of ours.

Ever a champion of both emerging and established talent, we’re also pleased to include in the cast our long-standing member Pat Dunn, who played Grandma in the hit BBC TV comedy series Hebburn. 

Tickets

The Fifteen Streets adapted by Rob Bettinson, from the novel by Catherine Cookson

Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 July 2015, 7.30pm

The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

Tickets:  £13.50 (Concessions £11)
Box Office:  0191 265 5020 www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

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Review: The Cinder Path Workshop

Catherine Cookson’s The Cinder Path

Workshop

19^th April 2015.

I was invited to a workshop based around the latest draft of South Shields author Catherine Cookson’s The Cinder Path by Gareth Hunter of Ion Productions. Gareth has been producing high quality shows in South Tyneside for 10 years. He had recently brought Cookson’s The Fifteen Streets to South Shield’s Customs House. From the success of that show the stage adaptation of her 1978 book The Cinder Path will be making its world premiere at The Customs House in September 2015.

With it being the hundredth anniversary of World War 1, it is fitting that The Cinder Path is the show which has been chosen to be produced this year as it shows how men who had a tough farming background were to head off to war and fight in the trenches.

Whilst Cookson is a very popular author, who still regularly features in the charts for the most borrowed author from libraries, she has a reputation for portraying the males in her books in a fairly negative light.  The challenge for any stage show will be to retain the strong female characters and make the audience engage with the men. A scan of reviews online for The Cinder Path often refer to a dislike, by the readers of her book, of either the nasty or the weak male characters.

This brought us to the very ornate surroundings of the Chapel at the Mission to Seafarers in Mill Dam to see the product of the day’s workshop involving a talented group of actors. Working script in hand and without props they brought the first part of the script alive.

The story began with a farmer issuing orders to his staff and castigating the lad from the workhouse who was told to go to the cinder path in order to be punished. Very quickly the father is seen as a very strict disciplinarian as he ignores the pleas of his son to not see the cruel act take place. The strong caring female roles are, likewise, quickly established too.

Stories of royal families linking together, through the marriage of offspring, in order to strengthen alliances is mirrored by the desire of the owners of the two neighbouring farms to see their children marry. A funeral and a birthday party later and Cookson’s story looks at relationships within families and by employees.

The workshop performances finished with the sacking of an employee who knows a dark secret of his master. It will be interesting in September to return to the full story and find out what happens next. My initial fears about not engaging with the male parts had not come to light. I hope that the son is seen to have some backbone though in the full story. The female roles have the trademark Cookson strength of character. The script and direction had a quick pace. The use of the same actors for multiple roles wasn’t a problem. I’m intrigued to find out how they will bring the key scenes to the stage.

The drama has some interesting interplay between its characters and there are some clear challenges ahead to bring the full production to the stage. I have never considered myself to be a fan of wor Kate’s books, I have never had the desire to read one nor have I watched the dramas on TV, and yet I am looking forward to seeing the full finished production of The Cinder Path.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Preview: The Fifteen Streets at Whitley Bay Playhouse

Whitley Bay Theatre Company presents

Catherine Cookson – The Fifteen Streets

Whitley Bay Playhouse

Wednesday 28^th – Saturday 31^st October 2015

Playhouse is delighted to announce that Catherine Cookson’s, The Fifteen Streets comes to us this autumn.

South Shields author, Dame Catherine Cookson was one of the world's most beloved writers. Her books have sold millions of copies, and her characters and their stories have captured the imaginations of readers around the globe.

Whitley Bay Theatre Company is excited to bring the iconic story to Playhouse. John O'Brien lives in a world where surviving is a continual struggle. He works long hours at the docks to help support his parents' large family. Many other families in the Fifteen Streets have already given up and descended into a dismal state of grinding poverty, but the O’Brien’s continue to strive for a world they are only rarely allowed to glimpse. Then John O'Brien meets Mary Llewellyn, a beautiful young teacher who belongs to that other world. What begins as a casual conversation over tea quickly blossoms into a rare love that should have been perfect. Fate steps in, however, when John is accused of fathering the child of a local girl, and Mary's parents forbid her to see him. The couple begins to realize that the gulf of the Fifteen Streets between them is a chasm they could never bridge -- or might they still find a way?

If you’re a Catherine Cookson fan or just an old romantic, then this show is one you must not miss.

Tickets

Tickets on sale now are priced at £12 Early bird until 24^th September, £14 after. 
Box Office open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday 10.30am -2.30pm plus until show start on event days. Tickets can also be purchased on the booking hotline 0844 248 1588 or online at www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk.