🎭 Standing at the Sky’s Edge
📍 Gillian Lynne Theatre
🎟️PR invite
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Following two successful runs in Sheffield and London, and many prestigious awards, Standing at the Sky’s Edge returns to London for a West End run, proving what a remarkable, new musical it is!
Set in a brutalist housing estate in Sheffield, the story spans over 5 decades, focusing on three families who lived in the same flat. Written by Chris Bush, their stories showcase significant moments and changes on the Park Hill estate. In the sixties, we meet newlyweds, Harry and Rose (Joel Harper-Jackson and Rachael Wooding), bursting with optimism and joy as they arrive in their new home, longing to complete their family with a child. In the nineties, we see teenager Joy (Elizabeth Ayodele), a refugee who has fled Liberia with her cousins Grace and George (Sharlene Hector and Baker Mukasa), arriving in Sheffield. In 2015, Poppy (Laura Pitt-Pulford), a Londoner, moves to the regenerated estate, following a breakup with her fiancee.
All three narratives overlap in this multi-generational story. It is a heartwrenching yet powerful production about hopes and dreams. Sky’s Edge beautifully touches on love, loss and the importance of community.
Ben Stone’s set design marvellously replicates the brutalist ‘streets in our sky’ architecture of the Park Hill estate. With towering flats, concrete pillars, walkways, and balconies that see the ensemble walk and dance through. There’s an intimacy with the set design, especially as we watch the band perform across two levels of the set. This is further exemplified by the new space at Gillian Lynne Theatre, which sees the ensemble perform in the theatre aisles. The design is complete with the notable, “I love you, will you marry me?” graffiti, a spectacle to look at during the final scenes, against Mark Henderson’s warm orange and yellow-toned lighting.
With music from Sheffield singer-songwriter, Richard Hawley, the musical also guides us through the history of Park Hill and its iconic building over the decades. Bush is a gifted playwright; they brilliantly explore the socioeconomic impact on the Park Hill residents over the years including unemployment, anti-social behaviour and the end of social housing. The show also includes immigration, gentrification and politics. There are references to the 2016 EU Referendum and Thatcher’s policies – key moments in the British political landscape that had an impact on people’s livelihoods and society as a whole.
This is unlike most ‘jukebox’ musicals and is incredibly unique with how the themes are presented. Under Robert Hastie’s direction, the three timelines are intertwined, and performed simultaneously on stage, with the characters sharing the living space. It’s an ingenious directorial choice which becomes meaningful towards later scenes. Through captivating storytelling and heavenly vocals, the performances from the cast are passionate, and filled with raw emotion that left members of the audience teary-eyed.
I enjoyed Joy’s storyline and her sweet blossoming relationship with local teen, Jimmy (Samuel Jordan), while Poppy and her ex-girlfriend, Nicky (Lauryn Redding) provided us with plenty of humour. Wooding and Harper-Jackson perform in moving scenes as we watch the breakdown of their marriage, which has devastating consequences. Wooding’s heartbreaking rendition of ‘After the Rain’ was one of my standouts. I also loved the moments from the ensemble cast whenever they led the songs and choreography, further adding to the sense of community that is present throughout the show.
While I wasn’t familiar with Hawley’s music, the songs complement the story wonderfully. The stunning musical arrangements are packed with emotions ranging from joy to rage, particularly in numbers like ‘The Streets Are Ours’ and the gripping Act 1 finale, ‘There’s A Storm Coming’.
Often defined as a love letter to Sheffield, Standing at the Sky’s Edge provides a universal experience. Its themes of home, community, resilience and change resonate with many, including myself. Chris Bush, who hails from Sheffield, has crafted a beautiful story that is filled with heart, and authenticity and is an example of a modern musical theatre masterpiece!
Standing at the Sky’s Edge plays at the Gillian Lynne Theatre until Saturday 3rd August 2024
