Paul was born in Holland and came to the UK in 1979 to study Stage Management at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
He toured the UK as the Sound Operator for David Wood’s play
The Ideal Gnome Expedition. In 1982 he started working at a recording studio as a tape operator, later becoming the studio’s resident engineer. He joined the Royal National Theatre in 1984 where he has designed the sound for over 120 productions across the National’s three auditoriums. Productions at the NT and beyond include The Shaughraun (Dir. Howard Davies, 1988) The Wind in the Willows (Dir. Nicholas Hytner, 1990) The Night of the Iguana (Dir. Richard Eyre, 1992) Under Milk Wood (Dir. Roger Michell, 1995), Flight (Dir. Howard Davies), The Merchant of Venice (Dir. Trevor Nunn, 1999), Summerfolk (Dir. Trevor Nunn, 1999). Bacchai (2002) and The Oedipus Plays (1999), both directed by Sir Peter Hall. The Coast of Utopia (Dir. Trevor Nunn, 2002). A Streetcar Named Desire (Dir. Trevor Nunn). Henry V (Dir. Nicholas Hytner 2003) Edmond (Dir. Edward Hall 2003), His Dark Materials (Dir. Nicholas Hytner 2003/4), Henry 4 pt 1+2 (Dir. Nicholas Hytner 2005), The House of Bernarda Alba (Dir Howard Davies, 2005), As You Like It (Dir David Lan), Mathew Bourne’s “Nutcracker” 2002 and “Highland Fling” (2005), and CoisCéim Dance Theatre’s “Mermaids” choreographed by David Bolger 2003
He has also designed the sound for musicals such as Sunday in the Park With George (Dir. Steven Pimlott, 1990) Sweeney Todd (Dir. Declan Donnellan, 1993) A Little Night Music (Dir. Sean Mathias, 1996) Lady in the Dark (Dir. Francesca Zambello, 1997), Richard Eyre’s 1997 revival of Guys and Dolls, and Candide (Dir. John Caird, 1999). In 1993 he co-designed Carousel (Dir. Nicholas Hytner), with Mike Walker, at the RNT as well as for its transfer for Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. to the West End and Tokyo. Another co-design, with Mike Walker was Sam Mendes’ production of Oliver! in 1994 at the London Palladium for Cameron
Mackintosh Ltd. Paul also designed the sound for the recent production of “The King & I” at the London Palladium, directed by Christopher Renshaw. Also the RNT’s production of Oklahoma! (Dir. Trevor Nunn 1998) and its transfer to the Lyceum Theatre and Broadway in 2002, My Fair Lady (RNT, Dir. Trevor Nunn), and its’ transfer to Drury Lane in 2001. Paul was the Sound Designer on the RNT’s Production of “Anything Goes” directed by Trevor Nunn, in November 2002. In 1999 Paul was awarded the “Sound Designer of the year” award by Live! Magazine. Most recently he worked on “Who Killed Mr. Drum” at the Riverside Studios. Currently Paul is working on Mathew Bourne’s new production of “Edward Scissorhands” opening October 2005. Paul is Associate to the National Theatre’s Sound Department and Sound Consultant on Sir Peter Hall’s new Rose of Kingston theatre.