Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Standing at the Sky's Edge began life as the 7th studio album by the English musician Richard Hawley, released in 2012 and nominated for the year’s Mercury Prize. A respected singer-songwriter, guitarist, and music producer, Hawley played with the Britpop band Longpigs in the 1990s before joining Pulp. He has released eight studio albums, and was nominated for two Mercury prizes and a Brit Award. And he’s worked with a host of brilliant musicians including Lisa Marie Presley, Shakespeare’s Sister, Arctic Monkeys, Manic Street Preachers, Elbow, Duane Eddy and Paul Weller. The musical’s name refers to a real-life place in his native city of Sheffield, Skye Edge, formerly known for its crime-ridden council estates.
The show has been awarded Best New Musical at the Oliviers, telling the story of three families who live on the old Park Hill council estate. Hawley also won an Olivier, alongside musical director Tom Deering, for Best Original Score or Orchestration. The show first opened at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in 2019 and, after a successful run at the National Theatre in London, it’s moving to the Gillian Lynne Theatre for February 2024. Theatre tickets for Standing at the Sky’s Edge take you to a masterpiece directed by Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Robert Hastie, with a top creative team and a West End cast that’ll be announced nearer the time.
Audience Latest Reviews
Reviews Summary based on 55 reviews
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Just Outstanding Please Please let the show to continue to run..it was Superb.
Michael, 24 Jul 2024
A piece of social history Great seats, modern theatre, good view from any seat. Show was performed really well, 3 different time zones on the stage at any point. Worked well
Chris, 15 Jul 2024
The Best I’ve seen The Best show I’ve seen in a very long time definitely worth booking !
Thea, 10 Jul 2024
Amazing true storyline Was amazing , true story got it exactly right
Victoria, 08 Jul 2024
Amazing! Fantastic show, hugely talented performers, wonderful music..
Elizabeth, 06 Jul 2024
Stimulating, thought provoking, entertaining. Conceptually interesting comment on societal issues through which I have lived and in which, due to my professional interests, I found profoundly moving.
Andrew, 05 Jul 2024
Thought provoking and moving. Highly recommend Well worth seeing. The music is amazing. I enjoyed the interweaving of 3 stories. Probably easier to follow if you are familiar with the history of the era. I wouldn’t recommend it for younger children.
Lynda, 26 Jun 2024
Fantastic show I lived in Sheffield for over 30 years and knew about the flats in the show. The show gave a good representation of the times and brought me to tears.
Catherine, 08 Jun 2024
Phenomenally powerful The clever intertwining of 3 families lives over decades alongside, at times, a darkly comedic script-and combined with a fantastic score from Richard Hawley collided into a phenomenally powerful and nostalgic story that was brought to life by a cast of strong characters. Love, hopes, tragedy and brutality set against the backdrop of politics and brutalist architecture. Highly recommended.
Sam, 05 Jun 2024
Emotive Best performance I have seen in years - compelling and so well acted
Rachel, 04 Jun 2024
Entertaining musical drama about three families occupying a flat in a Sheffield tower block during different decades Engaging show with some good songs and great singing though quite a long show
Michael, 26 May 2024
Absolute must see. This musical has been around for five years so I’m amazed that I hadn’t heard of it before. Having now seen it, my wife and I think it’s the best musical we’ve seen in many years. The story is essentially about the Park Hill housing estate in Sheffield, but it also charts the political landscape in Britain over the last sixty years. It is heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure and Richard Hawleys songs fit seamlessly into the storyline. Do yourself a favour and see it while you can. 5 Stars.
Carl, 17 May 2024
The Political & Personal Intertwine with Great Staging The play covers three families over a span of 50 years in a Sheffield housing project.
Through the prism of their lives, we see the era’s wrenching economic and political changes.
Brilliantly staged, the families pass in and out, sometimes overlapping, on the same set.
Original music performed by talented singers and a terrific band was riveting and memorable.
Melody, 06 May 2024
Brilliant, creative, a must to see Standing on the Sky’s edge well where can I start, from start to finish a great storyline, well put together, & well acted, brilliant voices full credit to all. A must to see.👍
John, 01 May 2024
Brilliant! Standing at Skys Edge was an amazing show with terrific actors, wonderful voices and clever stage craft. Loved it !
Angela, 29 Apr 2024
Innovative thoroughly enjoyable Didn’t know much about this show but we both enjoyed it enormously. Great story, music and acting
Sheila, 25 Apr 2024
Something for everyone Great storyline / characters /liked the mixture of acting n singing loved the two tier stage n orchestra positioning
Rebecca, 24 Apr 2024
Powerful, moving, amazing Review title says it all.
Michael, 13 Apr 2024
Excellent show! Excellent story-telling, brilliant musicians, amazing actors. Highly recommended!
Carolyn, 12 Apr 2024
A Superb English New Musical Great new Musical with a talented cast and amazing musicians. Get your tickets whilst this production is in town.
Thibaud, 08 Apr 2024
Inspiring About english and new londeners comers life
Janina, 07 Apr 2024
Different and welcome A sad and powerful show. Highly recommended
Iain, 30 Mar 2024
Powerful contemporary musical from National Theatre A powerful, superbly performed contemporary musical that had edge, compassion and many human stories. Set in the Park Hill Estate, Sheffield it cleverly intertwines the lives, loves and transformations of a housing estate from 1989 to the present. Lots of good music and beautiful voices. Many audience in tears at the end. Gillian Lynne Theatre is the perfect venue for it too.
Julian, 22 Mar 2024
Wonderful Fabulous music ,such a beautiful story
Wonderful from start to finish.
Geraldine, 03 Mar 2024
Amazing Incredible show - give yourself a treat and go
Cormac, 03 Mar 2024
