Hailed as ‘the most exciting new British musical in years’ (WhatsOnStage), Standing at the Sky’s Edge was originally written as a love letter to Sheffield, charting the hopes and dreams of three generations over the course of six tumultuous decades, navigating universal themes of love, loss and survival.
With irresistible songs by legendary singer-songwriter Richard Hawley and a beautiful, hilarious and gut-wrenching book by Chris Bush, Standing at the Sky’s Edge reveals the history of modern Britain through the stories of a landmark housing estate. It is a heartfelt exploration of the power of community and what it is we all call home.
It was first performed at Sheffield Theatres in 2019, directed by Robert Hastie, before transferring to the National Theatre in 2023, and then the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End in 2024. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, the UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production and the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre.
‘The best British musical in decades’
— Daily Express
‘Brilliant… a soaring achievement… a tightly wrought tapestry of intergenerational harmony and conflict… a towering feat of contemporary musical theatre. It stands as a shining tribute to the combined power of both popular music and stage storytelling, and subsidised and commercial theatre. Unmissable’
— WhatsOnStage
‘Magnificent… wonderful… possesses remarkable breadth and depth… a moving and resonant piece’
— The Times
‘A glorious love letter to Sheffield with a big, booming heart and astonishing sound… unstoppably winning, ineffably exuberant, extremely moving… take tissues’
— Guardian
‘Fresh and original, gripping and full of hope… a feisty gem of a show’
— Reviews Hub
‘Uplifting and beguiling… a bold step forward for musical theatre… smashing’
— Evening Standard
‘Exhilarating and big-hearted… Bush’s script is sparkily witty and affectionate, she interweaves the stories with great skill… A wonderfully generous, uplifting piece of theatre’
— Financial Times
Best Musical Production, UK Theatre Awards
Best New Musical, Olivier Awards
South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre
