Standing at the Sky's Edge
Music and lyrics by Richard Hawley. Book by Chris Bush.
A co-production with Sheffield Theatres in association with Various Productions
Booking and details
Olivier Theatre
National Theatre
South Bank
London SE1 9PX
Standing at the Sky’s Edge transfers to the West End, coming to the Gillian Lynne Theatre from February 2024.
‘A castle built of streets in the sky.’
Poppy wants to escape her old life in London. Joy and Jimmy want to spend the rest of their lives together. Rose and Harry want the new life they’ve been promised.
A love letter to Sheffield and a history of modern Britain told through the stories of one iconic estate, Standing at the Sky’s Edge charts the hopes and dreams of three generations over the course of six tumultuous decades.
Set to the irresistible songs of legendary Sheffield singer-songwriter Richard Hawley, it is a heartfelt exploration of the power of community and what it is we call home.
This award-winning new British musical makes its London premiere, directed by Robert Hastie, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres.
Winner of Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards and 2020 South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre.
Performed 9 February — 25 March 2023 in the Olivier Theatre.
Olivier Awards 2023
Winner
- Best New Musical (Winner)
- Best Original Score or New Orchestrations – Richard Hawley and Tom Deering (Winner)
Nominations
- Best Actress in a Musical – Faith Omole
- Best Set Design – Ben Stones
- Best Sound Design – Bobby Aitken
- Best Director – Robert Hastie
- Best Choreographer – Lynne Page
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical – Maimuna Memon
Reviews
‘A magnificent musical’
The Times
★★★★★
‘the perfect blend of power and heart’
The i
★★★★★
‘an exhilarating, big-hearted musical’
Financial Times
★★★★★
‘gorgeously crafted’
Broadway World UK
★★★★★
‘Fabulous numbers, fabulous production’
Daily Mail
★★★★
‘spine-tingling and sentimental’
Guardian
★★★★
‘a bold step forward for musical theatre’
Evening Standard
Suitability
This show contains adult themes and strong language, including some scenes depicting physical violence, alcohol abuse and death. There are flashing lights, haze and loud sound effects.
Supporters
The reopening of the Olivier theatre is generously supported by Areté Foundation / Betsy & Ed Cohen.
Find out how you can support our work
Gallery
Video
Cast
Darragh Cowley
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Ahmed Hamad
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Sèverine Howell-Meri
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Samuel Jordan
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Bobbie Little
Bobbie Little is a London-based actress.
Robert Lonsdale
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
David McKechnie
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Maimuna Memon
For the National Theatre: The Grapes of Wrath and Standing at the Sky’s Edge (also Sheffield Theatres)
Rachael Louise Miller
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Baker Mukasa
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Alastair Natkiel
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Faith Omole
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Adam Price
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Consuela Rolle
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Nicola Sloane
For the National: Standing at Sky’s Edge, London Road, Anything Goes (also West End), 50th Anniversary Gala and Love’s Labour’s Lost
Jake Small
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Deborah Tracey
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Rachael Wooding
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Alex Young
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge and Follies
The role of Young Connie is played by:
Amira Anderson
Standing at the Sky’s Edge is Amira Anderson’s professional theatre debut.
Hallie Barthram
Standing at the Sky’s Edge is Hallie Barthram’s professional theatre debut. Short film includes Blank Shores.
Neriah Boakye
Standing at the Sky’s Edge is Neriah Boakye’s professional theatre debut.
The role of Young Jimmy is played by:
William Barker
William Barker’s work in theatre includes Bach and Sons at the Bridge; Children of Eden at Cadogan Hall; and A Christmas Carol in the West End.
Luke Beggs
Standing at the Sky’s Edge is Luke Beggs’ professional theatre debut.
Harry Weston
Harry Weston’s work in theatre includes Bach and Sons at the Bridge; and Leopoldstadt in the West End. TV includes Holby City and Brave Bunnies. Short film includes Do You See What I See.
Musicians
Keys 1
John Rutledge
John Rutledge
For the National Theatre: Standing at the Sky’s Edge and Hadestown (rehearsal music director)
Keys 2 / Guitar
Lead Guitars
Neil Brock
Neil Brock
Electric & Upright Bass
Phil Donnelly
Phil Donnelly
Drum Kit & Percussion
Darren Beckett
Darren Beckett
Violin
Andra Vornicu
Andra Vornicu
Violin 2 / Viola (job share)
Sally Belcher
Sally Belcher
Violin 2 / Viola (job share)
Una Palliser
Una Palliser
Cello (job share)
Gabriella Swallow
Gabriella Swallow
Cello (job share)
Verity Simmons
Verity Simmons
Production team
Music and Lyrics
Richard Hawley
Richard Hawley
Richard Hawley is best known for his work as a musician, as a solo artist and with the bands Pulp and The Longpigs. He released his ninth album Further in 2019.
Writer
Chris Bush
Chris Bush
Chris Bush is an award-winning playwright, lyricist and theatre-maker.
Director
Set and Costume Designer
Ben Stones
Ben Stones
Ben Stones’ designs span theatre, ballet, comedy, fashion and hip-hop dance.
Choreographer
Lynne Page
Lynne Page
British choreographer Lynne Page works internationally in film and television, opera, theatre and musical theatre.
Music Supervisor, Arranger & Orchestrator
Lighting Designer
Mark Henderson
Mark Henderson
Mark Henderson is a lighting designer with over 40 years’ experience working extensively for all the major theatre, dance, and opera companies in the UK.
Sound Designer
Bobby Aitken
Bobby Aitken
Bobby Aitken has been involved with theatrical sound design for over 30 years. He has worked both in the UK and around the world, designing in small-scale theatres to grand arenas, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics.
Wigs, Hair & Make-up Designer
Cynthia De La Rosa
Cynthia De La Rosa
For the National: Alterations, Standing at the Sky’s Edge (also at Sheffield Crucible), Blues for an Alabama Sky and Beginning (also in the West End)
Music Director
John Rutledge
John Rutledge
For the National Theatre: Standing at the Sky’s Edge and Hadestown (rehearsal music director)
Casting Director
Stuart Burt CDG
Stuart Burt CDG
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge and East is East (also for Birmingham Rep)
Casting Young Performers and Supernumaries
Chloe Blake
Chloe Blake
Recent National Theatre includes: The Importance of Being Earnest, Nye (also Wales Millennium Centre), Jekyll and Hyde, Barrier(s), Hamlet for Young Audiences, The Effect and Blues for an Alabama Sky
Staff Director
Elin Schofield
Elin Schofield
Elin Schofield is a director, writer and movement director.
Associate Choreographer and Staff Director (London)
Thomas Herron
Thomas Herron
Thomas Herron is an award-winning choreographer, movement director and dancer.
Associate Costume Designer
Sally Wilson
Sally Wilson
Sally Wilson studied Fine Art at Sheffield Hallam University before becoming a prop-maker working on large-scale and high-profile events such as the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
Fight Director
Dialect Coach
Shereen Ibrahim
Shereen Ibrahim
For the National Theatre: company voice work includes The Importance of Being Earnest, Coriolanus, The Grapes of Wrath, Underdog: The Other Other Brontë, Dear Octopus, Dear England, Dixon and Daughters, The Odyssey, Hamlet, The Crucible, Jack Absolute Flies Again and The Father and the Assassin (also dialect work); dialect work for Standing at the Sky’s Edge, All of Us and Our Generation; and acting work in The Black Album and The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other
Dialect Coach
Michaela Kennen
Michaela Kennen
For the National: Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Oslo (also in the West End), The Beaux’ Stratagem, Market Boy, Caroline, or Change, Thérèse Raquin, The Alchemist, The Rose Tattoo, Playing with Fire and The History Boys (also in the West End)
Assistant Music Director
Photography (Rachael Wooding, Faith Omole, Bobbie Little) by Sam Wright
Neon sign based on an original graffiti by Jason Lowe