Paul trained as a director at East 15 in London. He is a member of Equity and the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, New York.
THEATRE (AS DIRECTOR):
Paul has staged worked which has been seen at venues including Oldham Coliseum, HOME, the Old Red Lion (London), Tristan Bates (London), Theatre 503 (London), Manchester Library Theatre, Contact Theatre (Manchester) and the New Diorama. He was also Associate Director at the New End Theatre, where he directed the UK premiere of 74 Georgia Avenue by Tony and Academy Award nominated writer Murray Schisgal. He has twice directed for JB Shorts (Sugared Armour, JB 14 and A Hairline Crack, JB 12 and RE:PLAY at HOME)
AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
*TWO 2 (World Premiere, Octagon Theatre Bolton, Dir: David Thacker)
*TWO (Octagon Theatre Bolton, Dir: David Thacker)
*FROZEN (Manchester Library Theatre Company, Dir: Roger Haines - nominated for
‘Best Production’ at the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards 2008)
He has four years experience working as a voluntary youth theatre as well as professional experience as a paid educator/ guest director working with college, university and drama school students.
He hold an MA in Theatre Directing from East 15 Acting School (supported through an AHRC grant) and a BA Hons Drama and English from Edge Hill University.
northern outlet theatre company
Paul is also the Artistic Director of Northern Outlet Theatre Company.
As a company with strong connections to the North-West it is committed to being a platform for emerging Northern talent.
"Any new theatre company's work is to be welcomed especially when
their debut production is as good as Tape"
- Dave Cunningham
Whatsonstage.com (2008)
Productions to date:
JOHN AND MARK a new play by George Gunby and NAKED OLD MAN by Tony and
Academy Award nominated writer Murray Schisgal (UK Premiere) presented as a double-bill, Lantern Theatre Liverpool, Taurus Bar Manchester and Stanwix Theatre Carlisle.
SPRING AND PORT WINE (Northern Outlet Theatre Company/
King's Arms Theatre - Mashed Up North Festival)
74 GEORGIA AVENUE by Tony and Academy Award nominated writer Murray Schisgal (UK Premiere), New End Theatre, Hampstead (co-production with the New End Theatre)
TAPE by Stephen Belber (Regional Premiere), nominated for Best Production at the Buxton Fringe and selected to feature as part of Re:play at the Library Theatre, Manchester
Reviews
A Hairline Crack (JB Shorts 12)
"A smashing tale of hoarding... Jane McNulty's
A Hairline Crack gives a cautionary tale about hoarding vintage crockery a smashing denouement"
- Alfred Hickling for The Guardian
John and Mark / Naked Old Man - double bill
“Theatre is at its absolute best when it’s
stripped back to the bare essentials, no fluff
or extravagant sets, just expression and communication. This we learn through
Northern Outlet Theatre Company’s double bill” – Kate Morris from Now Then Magazine (Manchester)
“...directed sweetly and sharply by Northern Outlet Theatre Company’s Paul Blinkhorn – does both with passion, skill, tact and brawn…It’s a real joy to witness, in a small room under a Gay Village pub, one of the best Lennons I’ve seen..." - Paul Thompson from Manchester Salon on John and Mark
Spring and Port Wine
"Bill Naughton’s period drama Spring and
Port Wine is brought kicking and screaming
into the 21st century ... a solid revival
of a kitchen sink classic."
The Fiction Stroker
Country Life
FOUR STARS "...Quietly entertaining,
brilliantly original"
- Helen Macdonald
Whatsonstage.com
FOUR STARS “Completely engrossing…
everybody must go and see
this thoroughly entertaining production. Now”
- Amina Bhuiyan
A Younger Theatre
74 Georgia Avenue
"...a one-act, bitter sweet play that packs a powerful punch...under Paul
Blinkhorn's succinct direction."
- Pauline Flannery
Extra Extra
Siren
"Director Paul Blinkhorn paces scenes carefully
and keeps the whole thing enigmatic."
- Howard Loxton
British Theatre Guide
Raving Beauties
FOUR STARS "...a fine production of a good
play that is full of humour and never
fails to entertain."
- Dave Cunningham
Whatsonstage.com
"Directed by Paul Blinkhorn this is a terrifically
engaging and entertaining production"
- Kevin Bourke
Manchester Evening News