Paved with Gold and Ashes

Turn Again

Paved with Gold and Ashes

by Julia Thurston

Threedumb Theatre, at the Old Red Lion Theatre, Islington, then at the Edinburgh Fringe until 26^th August

Review by Denis Valentine

The brand-new play Paved with Gold and Ashes, written by one of its actors, Julia Thurston is a show which combines the stories of five female immigrants to America and triumphantly works as a great supporting ensemble piece, which despite the events taking place in the early 1900s has resonances right up to today. 

The five actors work brilliantly together and, with increasingly more ensemble pieces being recognised as best supporting actors, this is in a similar vein.  As the intention of the writer steers the piece, no main character emerges, but it is five stories told by five women with equal importance, regardless of class, aspiration and circumstances. 

The stories told in the show are all very real and accordingly traverse a range of different feelings and emotions.  There are a lot of genuinely humorous moments which draw much laughter from the audience, as well as hearing recognisable hopes and aspirations of the times, as well as for today.  All these elements give way to the very real event at the end when a chillingly dark and tragic climax unites the cast, and really leaves the audience with much to contemplate and think about. 

Thurston’s writing is very sharp and witty, mixing good humour in with the dark and poignant elements.  Her handling of the characters and their relationships embed the show with a stoic realism, but can also give way to moments of fun theatricality and even sparks of musicality. 

Although the stage and set never changes, the actors skilfully craft each scene and leave the audience in no doubt when the action shifts from one location to the next.  The stagecraft shown by each actor is great, whether it is a solo moment or one with various players having to support one another. 

As a newly written piece the plays closing moments may have benefited from exploring closer the set design and the technical staging – in terms of lighting and sound – as the opportunities to really create a visual and audible moment around what is taking place may even help to enhance the final horrors and support even further the strong performances taking place. 

Paved with Gold and Ashes next stop is Edinburgh, where it should be very well received by anyone looking for a show with strong acting and humour but also with a poignant message and by anyone wanting to go away with something to think about. 

Denis Valentine, August 2023

Image courtesy of Threedumb