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Standing at the Sky's Edge

at the Gillian Lynne Theatre

Music and lyrics by Richard Hawley. Book by Chris Bush.
The National Theatre and Various Productions present the Sheffield Theatres Production

A young man in a white t-shirt is singing into a microphone, one arm outstretched. Behind him, other people are holding microphones on stands and singing.

Booking and details

8 February — 3 August 2024
This show has now ended
The event location is

Gillian Lynne Theatre

Gillian Lynne Theatre
166 Drury Lane
London WC2B 5PW

The multi-award winning new musical Standing at the Sky’s Edge – winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production, and the South Bank Sky Arts Award – tramnsferred to the West End, following sold-out runs at the National Theatre and Sheffield Theatres. ​

Hailed as ‘the greatest new British musical’ (Daily Express), Standing at the Sky’s Edge is a kaleidoscopic portrait of life on an ever-changing estate, charting the highs and lows and loves and losses of three generations over six tumultuous decades.

Set to the irresistible songs of legendary singer-songwriter Richard Hawley, with a beautiful, hilarious, and gut-wrenching book by Chris Bush, this ‘deeply moving and monumental musical’ (Daily Telegraph) reveals the history of modern Britain through the stories of the landmark Park Hill estate, in a heartfelt exploration of the power of community and what it is we all call home.

Performed 8 February — 3 August 2024 in the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

Reviews for the West End

★★★★★

‘An epic musical for the ages. Prepare to fall in love.

Broadway World

★★★★★

‘Unmissable. A towering feat.’

WhatsOnStage

★★★★★

‘Exhilarating, big-hearted. A superb production. ’

Financial Times

7 reviews

Video

Three women stand apart on a stage, each carrying a bag or packing box. A block of flats rises up behind them.
Play Video

Watch the trailer

Play Video

Interview with Lauryn Redding and Laura Pitt-Pulford

A man standing, singing into a microphone and playing an accoustic guitar. In teh background are warehouse style windows.
Play Video

Midnight Train

Performed by Samuel Jordan

A woman standing, singing into a microphone, partially lit by a spotlight from above.
Play Video

Open Up Your Door

Performed by Lauryn Redding

Gallery

Open Gallery Dialog: 14 images A man leaps off a table, other figures are falling, fighting or motionless. Smoke and blue light fills the stage.
A man leaps off a table, other figures are falling, fighting or motionless. Smoke and blue light fills the stage.
A man leaps off a table, other figures are falling, fighting or motionless. Smoke and blue light fills the stage.
View 14 images
A woman in a party hat stretches her arms out wide, a champagneglass in obe hand and bottle in the other, A man and two other women stand alongside her. A brightly lit stage is full of cast members standing, many at microphone stands. A band can be seen on balconys above them. Two women stand together, leaning into each other. Three other people stand behind them. A brightly lit stage is full of cast members standing, many at microphone stands. A band can be seen on balconys above them. A young woman and man face each other, smiling and gesturing with their arms A young woman sits at the middle of a table. An older woman sits at one end of the table and a man stands at the other. A woman stands, holding a small bunch of flowers, a sad expression on her face. A man stands in the background, looking at her. A woman and man stand facing each other, the man holding the woman's face in his hands. People stand or sit on stage. A building rises above them, with a crowd of people on a balcony and more in a room above that. Three digital displays show 2020, 2003 and 1986 above the building. A man stands on a balcony, holding a microphone on a stand, as if ready to sing. A man and woman in the foreground embrace. Another man stands behind them, looking at them, holding a mug. Three women stand apart on a stage, each carrying a bag or packing box. A block of flats rises up behind them. A man stands at a table, open-mouthed. A darkened balcony is behind him and is full of people looking down at him.

West End production gallery

Open Gallery Dialog: 14 images A woman sits on a table and four other people sit around the table on stools. At the back of the room a number of people stand around, watching the group at the table.
A woman sits on a table and four other people sit around the table on stools. At the back of the room a number of people stand around, watching the group at the table.
A woman sits on a table and four other people sit around the table on stools. At the back of the room a number of people stand around, watching the group at the table.
View 14 images
A woman holds a wine glass and bottle, a man speaks into a microphone. They are both sitting on a plain, off-white coloured sofa. A smiling man wearing a gilet over a hoodie stands, leaning agaist a white wall. A smiling woman, wearing a bright yellow, sleeveless knitted top over a black jumper, stands, leaning against a kitchen work-top. A man wearing a black vest and jeans, stands looking away from a fridge-freezer with eth upper fridge door open. An electric heater on a stand is behind him. A woman wearing a beanie hat and faded sleveless denim jacket, sits, smiling at another woman who is in the foreground, out of focus and with her back to camera. Another woman sits in the background, also out of focus. A woman wearing a light-coloured open collared shirt and black waiscoat, sits, holding an A4 spiral pad. Two couples are dancing and laughing. A woman sits on a man's lap, her arms around his neck. She holds an empty dimpled pint beer mug. A smiling woman leans with her elbows and forearms on a kitchen surface. She wears glasses and a blue hoodie with white writing. A man stands in a white room, leaning to his right, stretching our his arm and a group of people behind him copy his movement. A woman stands, leaning against a kitchen work-top. She wears a knitted had and brightly coloured cardigan. A young man wearing a top with 1891 printed on it, sits on a plain, off-white coloured sofa. A man and woman stand side by side, looking at open pages in a binder. Both are smiling and holding pens.

West End cast rehearsal images

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.

West End cast

Jonathan Andre
Jonathan Andre photo portrait

Jonathan Andre

Max / Workman 3

Monique Ashe-Palmer
Monique Ashe-Palmer photo portrait

Monique Ashe-Palmer

Onstage Swing

Elizabeth Ayodele
Elizabeth Ayodele photo portrait

Elizabeth Ayodele

Joy

Jonathon Bentley
Jonathon Bentley photo portrait

Jonathon Bentley

Gary / Nigel / Workman 1

Young company:

Young Connie

Alayna Anderson

Young Jimmy

Luca Foster-Lejeune

Young Connie

Renée Hart

Young Jimmy

Eric Madgwick

Young Connie

Chioma Nduka

Young Jimmy

Sam Stocks

Musicians

Musical Director / Keys 1

Alex Beetschen

Alex Beetschen

Assistant Musical Director / Keys 2 / Guitar

Sam Hall

Sam Hall

Lead Guitars

Jon Gingell

Jon Gingell

Electric & Upright Bass

Phil Donnelly

Drum Kit & Percussion

Darren Beckett

Violin

Tina Jacobs-Lim

Violin / Viola

Rosie Tompsett

Cello

Gabriella Swallow

Production team

Music and Lyrics

Richard Hawley

Richard Hawley

Writer

Chris Bush

Chris Bush

Director

Robert Hastie

Robert Hastie

Set and Costume Designer

Ben Stones

Ben Stones

Choreographer

Lynne Page

Lynne Page

Orchestrator, Arranger and Originating Music Supervisor

Tom Deering

Tom Deering

Lighting Designer

Mark Henderson

Mark Henderson

Sound Designer

Bobby Aitken

Bobby Aitken

Wigs, Hair & Make-up Designer

Cynthia De La Rosa

Cynthia De La Rosa

Music Director and Associate Music Supervisor

Alex Beetschen

Alex Beetschen

Casting

Stuart Burt CDG

Stuart Burt CDG

Children's Casting

Chloe Blake

Chloe Blake

Associate / Resident Director

Elin Schofield

Elin Schofield

Associate / Resident Choreographer

Thomas Herron

Thomas Herron

Associate Costume Designer & Costume Supervisor

Sally Wilson

Sally Wilson

Associate Sound Designer

Jonas Roebuck

Sound Programming Associate / Music Mix Engineer

Nick Gilpin

Nick Gilpin

Consulting Music Supervisor

Katy Richardson

Katy Richardson

Assistant Music Director

Sam Hall

Sam Hall

Casting Assistant

Peter Noden

Dialect Coach

Shereen Ibrahim

Shereen Ibrahim

Dialect Coach

Michaela Kennen

Michaela Kennen

Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Supervisor

Keisha Banya

Props Supervisor

Marcus Hall Props

Fight Director

Kenan Ali

Kenan Ali

Orchestral Manager

Nicola Rossiter

 

 

Artwork graffiti based on original graffiti © Jason Lowe 2001