Paved with Gold and Ashes - Paperback

by Julia Thurston (Author)

Some say the streets of New York City are paved with gold, full of wealth and opportunity. In 1911, five young immigrant women search for their promise of the American Dream while working at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.

But battling poverty and dangerous working conditions, can they keep their dreams alive?

Or will it all turn to ashes?

***** "This is a beautiful piece of storytelling."

- Plays to see

***** "As the audience left this impressive production, I could hear some of them talking about Grenfell, reminding us how little things have changed in over a hundred years."

- British Theatre Guide

**** "Paved with Gold and Ashes is a masterfully crafted piece which allows a glimpse into the very real running themes of classism, racism, and sexism. It's powerful in delivery, clear in intent, and has the potential to truly pack-a-punch."

-- everything-theatre.co.uk

"A striking piece of theatre, a significant piece of history." ̶ oughttobeclowns.com

*****"Thurston's agonising and attentive descriptions of the factory fire is one of the most effective pieces of dramatic writing I have ever seen. Set against a red glow, the fire is brought to life with words and words alone. What is said and described is horrible and unfair. Thurston's writing provides an unflinching mirror to today, where the malpractice of economic giants still persists. Thurston reminds us that there is nothing accidental about these catastrophes that result in the murder of citizens and employees - they are the final movement in a larger process, of what happens when those who have worked tirelessly in order to maintain a dream of the future, are disregarded by those who are living that dream."

̶ broadwaybaby.com

Author Biography

Julia Thurston is an American/Canadian actor and playwright originally from New York City, now based in London. She graduated with a BA in Acting from LIPA in 2018 and an MA in Acting from GSA in 2022. Paved with Gold and Ashes was Julia's first play, which she began writing in 2016 as an acting student at LIPA after years of fascination with the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and the untold stories of its victims. An early version of Paved with Gold and Ashes was performed at LIPA in 2018, and the play was first produced by Threedumb Theatre in 2019 at the Tristan Bates Theatre for Six Plays One Day. It has since been performed at the Old Red Lion Theatre and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Threedumb Theatre, 2023) and the Barons Court Theatre (Threedumb Theatre, 2024). Julia's other writing credits include Darling, it's Not About You, co-written by Julia Thurston and Sof Puchley (Bee in My Beanie, 2019 & Threedumb Theatre, 2020), as well as several plays which were workshopped and performed during her time at LIPA and GSA, including Impressions (LIPA 24-Hour Play Festival, 2017) My Own Estimation (Barewater Productions, 2018), and Never Lost, Never Found (GSA, 2021).