Review: STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE, Sheffield Crucible
Photo credit: Johan Persson
Standing at the Sky’s Edge was first performed at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 2019. It won a number of awards and, after delays due to the pandemic, has finally returned home. The musical, with a book by Chris Bush and music and lyrics by Sheffield musician Richard Hawley, focuses on three women who move into the same Park Hill flats at different times in history. Chris Bush cleverly intertwines the three storylines as they all unfold on stage at the same time.
Bush’s script is fantastic. It is very funny and beautifully tender. It really is a love letter to Sheffield, whilst being written in such a way that people not from Sheffield will still be able to resonate with the piece. Richard Hawley’s music works brilliantly in a theatre setting. Much of the music already exists, but the show never feels like a jukebox musical. All the songs develop the characters and progress the plot in some way – many songs work across more than one of timelines which is just outstanding writing.
Robert Hastie, artistic director of Sheffield Theatres, directs the production and the show is just so slick. The way all three plots play out in the same space alongside each other is just a joy to watch. Ben Stones’ brilliant set design compliments this – he has come up with a set that all three timelines can play out against and never once do any of the furniture or appliances feel out of place. Stones’ costumes, alongside Cynthia De La Rosa’s hair and wig design, show time and time passing very well. The audience never struggles to keep up with when the action is taking place and what is happening in that character’s life.
Stuart Burt CDG has assembled an outstanding cast for this production, many of whom have returned from the show’s original run in 2019. The show is led by Rachael Wooding as Rose, Faith Omole as Joy and Alex Young as Poppy and all three are sensational. All three women demonstrate strong comic timing whilst also breaking the audience’s hearts with their emotionally charged scenes, and they all deliver very strong vocal performances.
Wooding has superb chemistry with Robert Lonsdale as Harry. Lonsdale’s vocals are also great and he portrays the downfall of Harry beautifully. Young works wonderfully with Maimuna Memon as Nikki. Young’s moments of heartbreak are just outstanding. Memon’s characterisation is great, meaning despite what we’ve heard about the character before she appears we don’t instantly dislike her. She is a powerhouse vocalist and blows the roof off with her rendition of ‘Open Up Your Door’. Omole plays opposite Samuel Jordan as Jimmy. Jordan is new to this year’s production and makes his professional stage debut in this show. His performance is incredible. The chemistry between Omole and Jordan is believable and touching, and Jordan’s vocals are incredibly powerful. His songs and moments where he offers key harmonies in songs such as ‘Don’t Get Hung Up In Your Soul’ are some of the highlights of the show.
The show also has a host of exceptional supporting performers. Bobbie Little is new to this version of the show as Connie. She has a strong stage presence, delivers her quite poetic dialogue beautifully and her vocals are truly stunning throughout. Darragh Cowley opens the show as Workman 1 and instantly captivates the audience with his gorgeous voice. Alastair Natkiel is great fun as Marcus, and has a great rapport with Alex Young’s Poppy, and Nicola Sloane’s performance as Vivienne is beautiful and tender. Deborah Tracey is brilliant as Grace and she portrays the character’s softening throughout the show very well, whilst Baker Mukasa as George leads one of the big company numbers with ease.
Standing at the Sky’s Edge is an entertaining, emotionally charged and heartfelt piece of theatre that really does have it all. It is difficult to think of another example where the writing, the music, the design and the casting all comes together in perfect harmony as much as it does in this show.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jacob Bush
Standing at the Sky’s Edge runs in Sheffield until 21 January 2023, before transferring to the National Theatre in February and it really is not to be missed.