REVIEW: Standing on the Sky’s Edge (National Theatre) ★★★★★

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REVIEW: Standing on the Sky’s Edge (National Theatre) ★★★★★



Standing on the Sky’s Edge is a model new British musical with music and lyrics by Richard Hawley and a e book by Chris Bush. Named after the title monitor of Hawley’s 2012 album, the musical premiered on the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on 14th March 2019 and obtained rave critiques from audiences and critics alike. Due to this success, Sky’s Edge was as a result of be revived in 2020 nevertheless was postponed because of the pandemic. Finally, returning to the Crucible Theatre late final 12 months and following within the footsteps of Sheffield mega-hit Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Standing on the Sky’s Edge has now transferred to London enjoying at The National Theatre till March 2023.

A love letter to Sheffield and a historical past of contemporary Britain advised by the tales of 1 iconic property, Standing on the Sky’s Edge charts the hopes and desires of three generations over the course of six tumultuous many years. In 1960 we meet Rose and Harry who need the brand new life they’ve been promised. As they transfer from the slums into the newly constructed “streets in the sky”, their son Jimmy falls for Liberian refugee Joy and so they simply wish to spend the remainder of their lives collectively within the 90s, because the property goes into disrepair. In 2015 Poppy needs to flee her outdated life in London, as she strikes to the newly gentrified property away from ex-fiancée Nikki.

Using the irresistible songs of legendary Sheffield singer-songwriter Richard Hawley, Standing on the Sky’s Edge’s is a heartfelt exploration of the lives of three households as they navigate love, loss, the facility of group and what it’s we name house. A fortress constructed of streets within the sky.

Under the route of Sheffield Theatres Artistic Director Robert Hastie are, Rachael Wooding (Pretty Woman, We Will Rock You, Jersey Boys, Hairspray, Saturday Night Fever, Fame) as Rose, Robert Lonsdale (From Here to Eternity, La Bête) as Harry, Faith Omole (An Ideal Husband, White Noise, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) as Joy, Samuel Jordan (Masters of the Air, Wolfe, All Creatures Great and Small, The Window, Sex Education) as Jimmy, Alex Young (She Loves Me, Guys and Dolls, Show Boat, Anything Goes, Into The Woods) as Poppy and performing as realtor come narrator is Bobbie Little (Heathers, Mamma Mia!, Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar) as Connie. Joining them in a plethora of different characters are Darragh Cowley (Guys and Dolls, Lord of the Flies) as Workman 1/Gary/Nigel, Ahmed Hamad (Rumi: The Musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as Workman 3/Kevin/Max, Sèverine Howell-Meri (Dick Whittington, Us Against Whatever) as Justine, David McKechnie (Chicago, Pagent) as Workman 2, Maimuna Memon (The Band Plays On, Into The Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar) as Nikki, Rachael Louise Miller (Les Misérables, The Wizard of Oz, Grease) as Woman 1/Cathy), Baker Mukasa (Tina the Musical, The Comedy of Errors, The Winter’s Tale) as George, Alastair Natkiel (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Strangers on a Train, Shrek the Musical) as Marcus/Housing Officer, Adam Price (Privates On Parade, Hairspray, Kinky Boots) as Charles/Trev/Seb), Consuela Rolle (Remember, Remember, The Worst Witch) as Jenny, Nicola Sloane (London Road, Anything Goes, Love Labour’s Lost) as Vivienne/Karen, Jake Small (Mamma Mia!, Frozen The Musical) as Teen and Deborah Tracey (A Mad World My Masters, Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical!) as Grace/Alice.

As our Sixties couple Rachael Wooding and Robert Lonsdale as Rose and Harry are very affecting. Rose begins the present as a housewife, to devoted husband Harry and grows impartial as Harry losses his job and turns into depressed with heartbreaking penalties. Both carry out will nice talent as Lonsdale vocalizes his helplessness by lovely music ‘My Little Treasures’ and Rachael Wooding gives a powerfully emotional ‘After The Rain’. Fast-forward just a few years and their son Jimmy falls for Joy and their love story begins. Genuinely glad Jimmy and Joy have a lovely daughter Connie. However as crime grows on the property and it falls into disrepair, a tragedy happens that rocks their small household. As Jimmy, Samuel Jordan gives a captivating efficiency rising from disaffected teenager to household man with an outward vulnerability and internal power that appears nicely past the years of the younger performer. Similarly, we see Faith Omole’s Joy develop from youngster to mom in a efficiency that gave the viewers chills. As modern-day dawns, we meet Alex Young’s Poppy and her ex-fiancée Nikki performed by Maimuna Memon. Dysfunctional and discovering themselves, Poppy and Nikki’s relationship echos a contemporary outlook on life and love the place profession usually comes first and loving somebody is commonly an act of defiance. Both vocally beautiful and extremely shifting, highlights together with Memon’s highly effective rendition of ‘Open Up Your Door’ and their lovely duet moments all through the present. Acting as Narrator and modern-day realtor, Bobbie Little’s Connie guides the viewers by the musical often popping as much as touch upon the motion and utilizing her excellent vocal to introduce the second act on Standing on the Sky’s Edge. Adding to the emotional energy of this unbelievable new musical, the remaining solid expertly articulate every character they play with nuance. Offering slick and dynamic harmonies all through, the bigger ensemble shine whether or not they’re standing in entrance of mic’s rocking out to the title music or singing light backup harmonies through the heartbreaking ‘After The Rain’. Brava!

The brilliance of Chris Bush’s e book sees six generations of household life enjoying out concurrently whereas Robert Hastie’s route skillfully maneuvers them across the stage. Ben Stones cautious costume design clothes his actors in immediately recognisable costumes and Lynne Page’s skilled choreography retains the motion contemporary and continually shifting. A real ensemble piece, we see the just about 1000 flat Park Hill come to life by Hawley’s songs on Ben Stones wonderful 4 storied excessive set which wraps across the full stage and blends into the Nationals personal structure immaculately.

Uplifting and devastatingly lovely, Standing on the Sky’s Edge is a spectacular instance of latest British musical theatre offered in one of many international locations most revered and well-known venues. With a solid recording obtainable the place all good music is offered, Standing on the Sky’s Edge is bound to develop into a favourite and obtain much more accolades and awards later within the 12 months. Do your self a favor and e book now to see this phenomenal musical earlier than it sells out. It’s simply that good!

Reviewed by Stuart James

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