Paved with Gold and Ashes

Paved with Gold and Ashes (****)
We get a taste of the lives of five young immigrant women who work running sewing machines in a 1911 garment factory before its horrendous fire. Even though two are sisters, each life outside the factory is quite different from the others, and allows the play to provide an expansive view of life as a poor immigrant in New York City. Since the fire is the source of inspiration for this play, it was gratifying to see how they could provide many of its details within the framework of the play.


This is the 36th most enjoyable of the 184 shows I have seen so far at the Fringe this year. I hope to see more than 200. You may see my other three-sentence reviews, in order from most enjoyable to worst, at my non-commercial website: https://fringefan.com/

Truly Outstanding. Beautifully written -poetic, poignant & powerful. Stellar acting from the cast of 5 women who share the day to day work experience at the factory, their hopes & dreams, their memories, and ultimately bring us right into the experience of tragic fire. With use of only their voices, beautifully spoken and sung, and their movements, the terrifying is realized, the heartbreak felt. Delivered so well, the audience momentarily still & silent. This is the best show I’ve seen at The Fringe. Highly recommend!

Such an incredibly heartbreaking story delivered with passion & commitment

Just Saw This…
PAVED WITH GOLD AND ASHES at GREENSIDE Infirmary Street
Five plucky, young immigrant factory girls in NYC, in the first decade of the 20th century, hope for a better life in the production-line American dream.
The five actor cast tell the story in direct address, off-set by tasteful choreography and elegant physical touches, executed so with gusto.
One really feels for these brave and bright young souls, we celebrate their optimism with them.
But their early disregard for the union and the consequences of their willing wage-slavery comes back to bite them.
Though the story is set over 100 years ago, the spectre of 9/11 hovers. It’s a kind of pageant to the end of the Dream, the end of naïveté.
The piece feels like a folk tale, but the sentimentality is off-set by such sensitive, heart-warming artistry and precision - its creators are craftsmen and women. And it has a cast of FIVE! A rare treat in the era of the dreaded solo show (I say that and I’m doing one myself).
This is one to watch. And the singing’s fab. A beautiful show.

Well written and well researched piece beautifully brought to life by excellent acting and directing. No gimmicks or special effects, just words, music and real heart. A lovely piece.

Brilliant. Absolutely mesmerising. The writing is so pure and detailed. It transports you to the time and place of the events instantly. 5 incredibly talented actresses that give their heart and soul to their performances. Beautiful singing, staging, devising and attention to every single detail. Truly a must see. If there's ever been a 5 star show it's this one. 10/10.

A very well crafted piece of theatre around the disaster, powerfully weaving various immigrant stories together. if you like engaging theatre make time to see this show. A top 3 show for me
(Reviewer 70 year old straight male)

This has been a highlight of my Fringe. One of the most powerful shows I've seen so far, it's emotional and heartbreaking, with a rising sense of tension that builds to a gut-wrenching finale. Highly recommended.

This is simply superb. See it if you can.