Standing on the Sky’s Edge is a model new British musical with music and lyrics by Richard Hawley and a e book by Chris Bush. Named after the title observe of Hawley’s 2012 album, the musical premiered on the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on 14th March 2019 and returned for a second season in 2021, promoting out each. Following within the footsteps of Sheffield mega-hit All people’s Speaking About Jamie, Standing on the Sky’s Edge then transferred to London and performed The Nationwide Theatre till March of 2023 profitable the Olivier Award for Finest New Musical, UK Theatre Award for Finest Musical Manufacturing and the South Financial institution Sky Arts Award.
Now, because of the musicals overwhelming success, Standing At The Sky’s Edge has opened at Gillian Lynne Theatre for a restricted season. Hailed as ‘probably the most thrilling new British musical in years’ (WhatsOnStage), London audiences as soon as once more have the possibility to see this gut-wrenchingly lovely musical and uncover the various tales from a citadel constructed of streets within the sky.
A love letter to Sheffield and a historical past of recent Britain informed via the tales of 1 iconic property, Standing on the Sky’s Edge charts the hopes and goals of three generations over the course of six tumultuous many years. In 1960 we meet Rose and Harry who need the brand new life they’ve been promised as they transfer from the slums into the newly constructed “streets within the sky”, their son Jimmy falls for Liberian refugee Pleasure they usually simply wish to spend the remainder of their lives collectively within the 90s because the property goes into disrepair and in 2015 Poppy desires to flee her previous life in London, as she strikes to the newly gentrified property away from ex-fiancée Nikki. Utilizing the irresistible songs of legendary Sheffield singer-songwriter Richard Hawley, Standing on the Sky’s Edge’s is a heartfelt exploration of the lives of three households as they navigate love, loss and the ability of group and what it’s we name house.
As our Nineteen Sixties couple Rachael Wooding and Joel Harper-Jackson as Rose and Harry are beautiful. Rose begins the present as a housewife to devoted husband Harry and grows unbiased as Harry losses his job and turns into depressed with heartbreaking penalties. Each give beautiful performances as Harper-Jackson vocalises his helplessness via the fantastically haunting track My Little Treasures and Rachael Wooding presents a powerfully emotional After The Rain within the second act.
Quick-forward a couple of years to the late 80s/early 90s and their son Jimmy falls for Pleasure and their love story begins. Genuinely comfortable, Jimmy and Pleasure have an exquisite daughter Connie. Nevertheless as crime grows on the property and it falls into disrepair, a tragedy happens that rocks their small household. As Jimmy, Samuel Jordan presents a strong efficiency rising from disaffected teenager to household man with an outward vulnerability and internal power that appears nicely past the years of the younger performer.
Equally, we see Elizabeth Ayodele’s Pleasure develop from youngster to mom in a efficiency that gave the viewers chills. As the trendy day dawns, we meet Laura Pitt-Pulford’s Poppy and her ex-fiancée Nikki performed by Lauryn Redding. Dysfunctional and discovering themselves, Poppy and Nikki’s relationship echo a contemporary outlook on life and love the place profession usually comes first and loving somebody is commonly an act of defiance. Each vocally beautiful and extremely transferring, highlights together with Redding’s highly effective rendition of Open Up Your Door and their lovely duet moments all through the present the place their voices mix to perfection.
Performing as Narrator and modern-day realtor, Mel Lowe’s Connie guides the viewers via the musical sometimes popping as much as touch upon the motion and utilizing her excellent vocal to introduce the second act on the title track Standing on the Sky’s Edge.
Including to the emotional energy of this unimaginable new musical, the remaining forged expertly articulate every character they play with nuance. Providing slick and dynamic harmonies all through, the bigger ensemble shine whether or not they’re standing in entrance of mic’s rocking out to the title track or singing light backup harmonies through the heartbreaking After The Rain. Brava!
The brilliance of Chris Bush’s e book sees six generations of household life taking part in out concurrently whereas Robert Hastie’s route skilfully manoeuvres them across the stage and for this run, the auditorium too. Ben Stones cautious costume design attire his actors in immediately recognisable interval costumes and Lynne Web page’s knowledgeable choreography retains the motion contemporary and continuously transferring. A real ensemble piece, we see the virtually 1000 flat Park Hill come to life via Hawley’s songs on Ben Stones wonderful 4 storied excessive set which wraps across the full stage and blends into the Gillian Lynne Theatre’s personal structure immaculately.
Uplifting and devastatingly lovely, Standing on the Sky’s Edge is a spectacular instance of latest British musical theatre introduced in one of many international locations most celebrated venues. With a forged recording obtainable the place all good music is offered, Standing on the Sky’s Edge is bound to grow to be a favorite and obtain much more accolades and awards. Do your self a favour and e book now to see this phenomenal musical earlier than it sells out. It’s simply that good!
