South Shields-based theatre company ION Productions is to première the first stage adaptation of a Catherine Cookson novel, The Cinder Path.
This is the first book of the late author to be adapted for the stage in over 20 years and permission was only granted after months of negotiations with the Cookson Estate.
Gareth Hunter, 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 adaptation is by local writer, actor and director Paul Dunn, who will also be appearing in the show. The book was made a TV mini-series in 1994 (starring, among others, Catherine Zeta-Jones) but this is the first stage adaptation.
Dame Catherine Cookson was, at one time, 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, four years after her death.
The Cinder Path follows the life of Charlie Macfell, a man in search of himself but driven by outside forces, and will carry the audiences from rural Northumberland to the horror of the trenches in World War One.
The production runs at the Customs House in South Shields from 9 to 12 September, with matinées on 10 and 12.