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 history of modern Britain told through the stories of one Sheffield housing estate, Standing at the Sky’s Edge charts the hopes and dreams of three generations over the course of six tumultuous decades. With a book by acclaimed playwright Chris Bush, and set to the irresistible songs of legendary singer-songwriter Richard Hawley, it is a heartfelt exploration of the power of community and what it is we call home.
Standing at the Sky’s Edge was first performed at Sheffield Theatres in 2019, when it won Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards and the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre. It was revived in 2022, before transferring to the National Theatre, London, directed by Robert Hastie.
’The most exciting new British musical in years’ – Whats On Stage
’Magnificent… wonderful… possesses remarkable breadth and depth… a moving and resonant piece’ – The Times
’A heartfelt exploration of home in all its guises’ – Guardian
Om författaren
Richard Hawley is a Sheffield-born singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He found success as a member of Britpop band Longpigs in the 1990s, was briefly a member of the band Pulp, and as a solo musician has released eight studio albums. He has been nominated for a Mercury prize twice and once for a Brit Award.
He wrote the music and lyrics for the musical Standing at the Sky’s Edge, a collaboration with Chris Bush (Sheffield Theatres, 2019; revived 2022, and at the National Theatre in 2023). It was based on his 2012 album of the same name.