Standing At The Sky’s Edge - Crucible/NT/Gillian Lynne

Saturday 10 December 2022 to Saturday 21 January 2023 for the Crucible leg.

"And we end our anniversary year with the triumphant return of Standing at the Sky's Edge, the epic play with music by Chris Bush and Richard Hawley."

Better late than never!!!

I take it this will be the Xmas musical replacing the ubiquitous revival?

I had cause to drive (be driven in an Uber actually) past Park Hill on t’ big roundabout and was delighted to see Granelli’s ice cream and sweet shop still in existence nestling in the foothills of Park Hill in its incongruous position just off said roundabout.

“Old fashioned spice at an old fashioned price”

I immediately thought of our very own  TallPaul of course and wondered if he had ever reached over the Granelli’s counter for a Traffic Light Lolly, a Sherbert Fountain, a quarter of Yorkshire Mixture or whatever spice he was partial to. He’s much older than me so I might not recognise his fave, obvs 🙂

www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/standing-at-the-skys-edge

9th Feb to 25th March

This is on my list!

As far as I know there isn't a cast album. The album you have found on Apple Music is the Richard Hawley album with the same name as the show. The show is all Richard Hawley's music but taken from his various albums. If you're not familiar with it, a better indication of the type of music would be from the "Richard Hawley Essentials" playlist on Apple Music but obviously that will have him singing rather than the cast and isn't a playlist of all the songs in the show. I'd say "Indie Rock" is not a very precise description of his music, it's more Singer-Songwriter, more melodic than you might expect from the "Rock" term, more ballads than you might expect.

I'm really looking forward to this and had been awaiting the announcement.

I wasn’t going to see this again at the Crucible this Christmas but in the true spirit of FOMO I’ve just booked it. Xmas time matinee, Can’t have you NT lot opining without me having a recent memory of the detail.

As it stands for perfs earlier in the run at the Crucible the back 5 rows are on sale (and pretty much sold out). Later perfs those rows are not available.. so far.

Ahead of reopening night, in just a month's time, Chris Bush has spoken to one of the local magazines. I won't post the full article, just a few excerpts.

www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/news/sky-the-limit-we-caught-up-with-standing-at-the-skys-edge-writer-chris-bush/

* This would have been Chis Bush's answer if she had actually been asked this question.  

I'm confused.... the NT advertises 'This award-winning new British musical makes its London premiere, directed by Robert Hastie, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres.'

...

Am I being dim? I thought it was a musical this entire time yet the interview, it's a play with songs?!

Read the end of TallPaul ’s post carefully ThereWillBeSun !

No, ThereWillBeSun, it's me who is the plonker. I'm sorry I confused you with my little bit of artistic licence.

BurlyBeaR and I have been joshing since spring 2019, when we both saw the initial run at the world-famous Crucible Theatre. He's adamant this is a play; I'm insistent it's a musical. Deep down he knows I'm right, but pride stops him from admitting it.

Nothing will make me happier than for everyone to see Sky's Edge, in either Sheffield or London, and make their own minds up.

Public dress rehearsal tonight. I've booked myself a £55 seat. Obviously, as a Yorkshireman, I didn't pay that, but that's not the point. After a two-year delay, it's going to be a very special night.

I actually gave directions to one of the cast on Tuesday afternoon. She clearly recognised a theatrical expert when she saw one. 🙂

"Excuse me," boomed this voice from behind, projecting like a true thespian. "Do you know where the Crucible Theatre is?"

"Of course I do," I replied. "And it's the world-famous Crucible Theatre to you."

From my prime seat on row F, I'll be able to give her a wave. 👋

The pavements are like ice, so all I have to do now is get there in one piece!

You needn't have worried, BurlyBeaR , either about me falling*, or the cast, who have been rehearsing in that London for weeks. To use a regular TB expression, this was in good shape for a first public performance. By opening night proper, when it's a bit tighter, it will be as good as it ever was.  

We had at least one cover on, which explains why Poppy's dad looked too young to be Poppy's dad. There's a new Jimmy this year, Samuel Jordan, now that Adam Hugill is a big TV star. Even though I knew what was coming, I still ended the night roarin'. Bloody non-toxic smoke effect making my eyes all watery!


My £55 seat gave me a direct view of the orchestra 'pit', which is actually 15' above the stage. Alongside her musical theatre work, the cellist is also a regular on Songs of Praise. 

All the key players were in, including the man himself, Richard Hawley, who was lurking at the back.

Programmes are £4, and the playtext £8.50. That's the playtext.

For those to whom these things are important, Act 1 is 1 hour 20 minutes, a 20 minute internal, then 1 hour 10 minutes for Act 2. Last night started 10 minutes late, then Rob Hastie gave a 10 minute speech, and the interval was also extended by an extra 10 minutes.  No word of a lie, by the time I got home, the milkman was already doing his rounds!

Poll added. We're trying something a bit different. So that I remain sort of neutral for now, I'll vote later, after a second viewing.




*I did fall over this morning. It's the landing that hurts the most!