Standing at the Sky's Edge is an Olivier Award-winning musical with music and lyrics by Richard Hawley and a book by Chris Bush.
The musical (named after Hawley's 2012 album of the same name) begins in 1961 and tells the story of three families over sixty years living in Park Hill, a council housing estate in Sheffield and features both new and existing songs by Hawley.
Production history
Sheffield (2019) The musical had its world premiere at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, previewing from 14 March (with a press night on 20 March) and running until 6 April 2019. The production was directed by artistic director Robert Hastie, designed by Ben Stones and choreographed by Lynne Page. The cast featured Darragh Cowley, Nicole Deon, Louis Gaunt, Adam Hugill, Robert Lonsdale, Fela Lufadeju, Maimuna Memon, Johanne Murdock, Damian Myerscough, Alastair Natkiel, Faith Omole, Deborah Tracey, Rachael Wooding and Alex Young.
Sheffield revival (2022-23) and National Theatre, London (2023) Following the success of the 2019 production, the musical was revived at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, from 10 December 2022 to 21 January 2023, before transferring to the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre, London from 9 February to 25 March 2023. The revival had been due to take place in 2020-21 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Theatre co-production with Sheffield Theatres opened at the Olivier Theatre, London, on 9 February 2023 to favourable critical reaction.
West End (2024) The musical transferred to London's West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 8 February 2024 for an initial six-month season. In November 2023, some casting was announced. Returning to the show are Samuel Jordan as Jimmy, Baker Mukasa as George, Alastair Natkiel as Marcus, Rachael Wooding as Rose. Elizabeth Ayodele, Joel Harper-Jackson, Sharlene Hector, Mel Lowe, Laura Pitt-Pulford, and Lauryn Redding join the West End cast.
Roles and principal casts CharacterSheffieldhttps://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/Full-Casts-Announced-For-Sheffield-Theatres-HANG-And-STANDING-AT-THE-SKYS-EDGE-20190128Sheffield Revivalsheffieldtheatres.co.uk/news/cast-announced-for-standing-at-the-skys-edgeNational TheatreWest End2019202220232024HarryRobert LonsdaleJoel Harper-JacksonRoseRachael WoodingJoyFaith OmoleElizabeth AyodeleJimmyAdam HugillSamuel JordanPoppyAlex YoungLaura Pitt-PulfordNikkiMaimuna MemonLauryn ReddingConnieNicole DeonBobbie LittleMel LoweGrace / AliceDeborah TraceySharlene HectorGeorgeFela LufadejuBaker Mukasa
Musical numbers
Act I "As The Dawn Breaks" "Time Is" "Naked in Pitsmoor" "I’m Looking for Someone to Find Me" "Tonight the Streets Are Ours" "Open Up Your Door" "My Little Treasures" "Coles Corner" "There’s a Storm A-Comin’"
Act II "Standing at the Sky’s Edge" "Our Darkness" "Midnight Train" "For Your Lover Give Some Time" "There’s a Storm A-Comin’ (Reprise)" "After the Rain" "Don’t Get Hung Up in Your Soul" "As the Dawn Breaks (Reprise)"
Awards and nominations 2019 Sheffield production Year Award Category Nominee Result2019UK Theatre Awardshttps://uktheatre.org/training-events/uk-theatre-awards/uk-theatre-awards-2019/ Best Musical Production 2020South Bank Sky Arts Awardhttps://www.skygroup.sky/article/winners-announced-for-the-2020-south-bank-sky-arts-awards Theatre
2023 London production The show received eight nominations for the 2023 Olivier Awards, making it the most nominated musical of the season.
Year Award Category Nominee Result2023 Laurence Olivier Awards Best New Musical Best Director Robert Hastie Best Actress in a Musical Faith Omole Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical Maimuna Memon Best Theatre Choreographer Lynne PageBest Set DesignBen StonesBest Sound DesignBobby AitkenBest Original Score or New OrchestrationsRichard Hawley and Tom Deering
Cast recording The Original Live Cast Recording was recorded over three evenings in December 2022 during the Sheffield revival and mixed at the Arch Studios, Sheffield. The recording was released on 13 February 2023 and features 17 songs.https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/standing-at-the-skys-edge-cast-recording
Adaptations In February 2023 it was announced that the show would be adapted by StudioCanal's RED Production Company into a four-part television series.
References