Standing at the Sky’s Edge at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Review

Reviewed by Jenny Seymour

I was so excited to be invited to review Standing at the Sky’s Edge at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Coming from Sheffield, I pass the icon that is Park Hill flats most days. I remember it in the 80s when it was perhaps a place to be avoided. I then moved into the nearby Hyde Park flats (which were known as part 2 of the Park Hill development) when they were commissioned for the student village during the World Student Games that came to Sheffield in 1991. 

If you’re from Sheffield, you will no doubt already know the story of the ill-fated couple whose marriage proposal has become the iconic artwork that now represents the history of Park Hill and it is great to see it used on the set for Standing at a Sky’s Edge – “I Love You – will you marry me?”

The set is amazing – the use of colour and lights to turn your attention to certain parts of the set as it develops and the dates reminding us of which decade we are recalling are very effective, but most of all I loved how we could see the band throughout the performance. It shows how important the music is in this production. The music of Richard Hawley is already so well received in Sheffield, but what was great about this production is that you feel as though you are in a music concert and not just watching a musical. Each member of the cast had a solo throughout the production and what was unique was that the soloist wasn’t necessarily involved in that particular scene – the most relevant voice was used for the track in question. I loved how the soloist on the electric guitar was brought forward as he would be in a rock concert – I felt like applauding as he finished his solo and stepped back to join the rest of the band!

Most stand out tracks for me were Maimuna Memon’s version of “Open up your door” and I loved Fela Lufadeju’s voice. The whole cast ensemble version of the title track, “Standing at the Sky’s Edge” was phenomenal.  This latter track is also great because it sees Nicole Deon’s character Connie really come to life and bring the 3 stories together. Whilst at the start of the play, her role as estate agent and narrator perhaps is a bit of a shaky one, she ends up being the linchpin that joins the 3 families that reside in this flat/duplex apartment (!) at Park Hill.

Unusually, mention should perhaps go to the fight choreographer. There was a disturbing scene at the end of Act 1 which really leaves you going into the interval thinking about the politics of our time. The story spans 3 general elections, all important for their own historical reasons and we are left with the voices of Thatcher and May ringing in our ears as we head out to mull it all over.

I also enjoyed “For your lover give some time”. It really summed up for me where it all goes wrong – we are so in love when we choose who we want to grow old with and then life gets in the way. We need to work really hard to remember why we chose that person and it is so important to avoid the downward spiral that may otherwise result. At times the entrance of all of the cast in the background of some of the songs could be distracting, but during this song, they really helped to tell the story of the struggles of life on a couple – reaching out to each other, but not letting the other one in!

The love story between Joy (Faith Omole) and Jimmy (Adam Hugill) was beautiful – a real knight in shining armour and he never falters in that role. I was so grateful for that and loved how the artwork lit up at the critical moment and left the words unsaid!

For me the standout performances were by each of the leading women! However, as I’ve said, every cast member deserves a mention though, as they all play their parts so well. I loved all of Joy’s family and the “Richard Curtis” role played by Poppy. The harmonies between her and Nicki made it clear why they had been cast, but what was not so clear was why Poppy makes her decision at the end of the play – is she at the stage where she thinks she will find no-one else? Should you ever go back to a “toxic” relationship?

I saw another Sheffield play written by the local playwright Chris Bush, Steel. Another well written play with such classic comic one-liners. The writing never shies away from current political issues and is written in a way that every member of the audience can relate to. My one worry is that this may not translate to the wider audience, but I hope it can be, as I truly believe this needs to be seen by so many people, not just the lovely people of Sheffield!

What I love about this production is that it incorporates what is great about Sheffield and it has brought together a community – we have a local Sheffield writer, Chris Bush, of course the music of local musician Richard Hawley, the artwork of local artist Kid Acne, but best of all, the inclusion of the Sheffield Peoples Theatre and the young Connie and James from local performing arts and dance groups. The people of Park Hill have been hugely involved in the writing of the play and their voice is being heard in what has been so well-written and they were invited to a preview performance earlier this week – I hope they like my review! It wouldn’t be complete without a real ale brewery being involved in a Sheffield production (!) and so last but not least, Sheffield’s Triple Point Brewery have created a beer which is available at the Crucible bar during the production – 10% of profits going towards Sheffield Theatres community outreach work in the city – so grab yourself a beer, relax and enjoy this heart-warming, moving, thought-provoking musical whilst you can!

[Please also note:  If you park in the local Q Park car park, remember to claim your 1 hour FREE ticket from one of the members of the theatre staff before you leave.]

Sheffield at its finest – Hawley, “Endo’s” and the Highest Street in the Sky! Go grab yourself some of the final tickets remaining for the first run on this new musical.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £15 (booking fees may apply).

Standing at the Sky’s Edge is at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield from 15 March to 6 April 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk or call the box office on 0114 249 6000.

Crucible Theatre, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA | 0114 249 6000