Standing at the Sky's Edge is an Olivier Award-winning musical with music and lyrics by Richard Hawley and a book by Chris Bush.
The musical (named after Hawley's 2012 album of the same name) begins in 1961 and tells the story of three families over sixty years living in Park Hill, a council housing estate in Sheffield and features both new and existing songs by Hawley.
Production history
World premiere: Sheffield (2019) The musical premiered at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, previewing from 14 March (with a press night on 20 March) and running until 6 April 2019. The production was directed by artistic director Robert Hastie, designed by Ben Stones and choreographed by Lynne Page. The cast featured Darragh Cowley, Nicole Deon, Louis Gaunt, Adam Hugill, Robert Lonsdale, Fela Lufadeju, Maimuna Memon, Johanne Murdock, Damian Myerscough, Alastair Natkiel, Faith Omole, Deborah Tracey, Rachael Wooding and Alex Young.
Sheffield revival (2022-23) and National Theatre, London (2023) Following the success of the 2019 production, the musical was revived at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield from 10 December 2022 to 21 January 2023, before transferring to the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre, London from 9 February to 25 March 2023. The revival had been due to take place in 2020-21 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Theatre co-production with Sheffield Theatres opened at the Olivier Theatre, London, on 9 February 2023 to favourable critical reaction.
West End (2024) The musical is scheduled transfer to London's West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from February 2024 for an initial six-month season. Dates and casting are to be announced.
Roles and principal casts
Musical numbers
Act I
"As The Dawn Breaks" "Time Is" "Naked in Pitsmoor" "I’m Looking for Someone to Find Me" "Tonight the Streets Are Ours" "Open Up Your Door" "My Little Treasures" "Coles Corner" "There’s a Storm A-Comin’"
Act II
"Standing at the Sky’s Edge" "Our Darkness" "Midnight Train" "For Your Lover Give Some Time" "There’s a Storm A-Comin’ (Reprise)" "After the Rain" "Don’t Get Hung Up in Your Soul" "As the Dawn Breaks (Reprise)"
Awards and nominations
2019 Sheffield production
2023 London production
The show received eight nominations for the 2023 Olivier Awards, making it the most nominated musical of the season.
Cast recording
The Original Live Cast Recording was recorded over three evenings in December 2022 during the Sheffield revival and mixed at the Arch Studios, Sheffield. The recording was released on 13 February 2023 and features 17 songs.
Adaptations
In February 2023 it was announced that the show would be adapted by StudioCanal's RED Production Company into a four-part television series.