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

Do you know, Sheffield Theatres employs some very perceptive staff. As I handed over my winter coat, the cloakroom attendant commented, correctly, on how stylish it is. "That's too nice to stuff under your seat."

Standing at the Sky's Edge is the type of play with songs that needs to be seen at least three times, ideally from left, right and centre. Quite by chance, I've now had seats on the left, on the right, and in the centre. Last time, in 2019, I thought this was mostly Poppy's story. This time, after several more viewings, I've come to the conclusion that it's mostly Joy's.

There's an excellent 5-star review in The Yorkshire Post, which could have been written by me, rather than Yvette Huddleston. "It has a unique dynamic, making it not so much a musical as a very valid drama with music added." We've had a lot of fun, but as the source of news you can trust since 1754, I think that ends the debate once and for all!

Yorkshire Post review

Alex Young was off being a mummy for a few days earlier this week, so I had the opportunity to see her excellent understudy, Rachael Louise Miller, who was my direction seeker from six weeks ago. I'll probably be given my own twinkly star, or summat, for services to lost actors. I appreciate this is theatrical heresy, but I think I may actually have preferred her more vulnerable portrayal of Poppy.

No crying at the end on this final visit...I started much earlier in Act II and never really stopped.

Just think, BurlyBeaR, you would be there right now if you'd made an effort.  I hope, at the very least, you've ordered the LP.  You obviously can't, living in a luxury loft apartment, but I shall be turning the volume on my music centre up to 11 when it arrives!

I would have done...had I been given first refusal. 😡

Well that was something really special last night. Perfectly performed by an outstanding cast. My only gripe is that this was my first visit, and I wish I had booked earlier in the run so I could have gone more than once. A solid 5 stars from me with no reservations.

I’m sure you would be able to follow the story, you just might not get some of the dialogue references that are very specific to Sheffield. But none of these are essential to knowing what is happening.

Good luck with the Sheffield accents Anthony! 😉

Official trailer just released



No problems with the accents so far.

Geeyore!

Was also there tonight and had a great £10 Friday Rush seat.

This was just WONDERFUL. I loved every second of it and didn’t want it to end! I feel like I could watch an entire series following the lives of these characters, they were so beautifully crafted.

Everything else about it (casting, lighting, performances) was just perfect for me and it filled the Olivier stage very well.

Can’t wait for a return visit already! 5 stars.

(I’ve just googled and found that Sainsburys stock Henderson’s Relish. Will definitely be looking out for it on my shop!)

Hard disagree with the above.

Absolutely loved this tonight - wonderful to have a brilliant, original musical on the Olivier, filling the space, with such a wonderful cast.

Alex Young, Rachael Wooding and Faith Omole were all hugely moving, and I thought the whole piece worked really well, with some brilliant numbers in there.

I thought this was just Fantastic, With wonderful arrangements from Tom Deering. I wasn't Familiar with Richard Hawleys songs but I will now definitely check out his back catalogue and cannot wait For the Cast Recording.

Alex Young and Maimuna Memon were the highlights of the Cast for me but all of them were sensational and worked well together.

A very Easy 5 Stars.

I too was there last night and thought it was so very good. I went in knowing very little about it including not being aware of Richard Hawley's career/back catalogue but the songs were perfect for this.
The 2hrs 50mins flew by, nothing felt like it dragged for me. I thought it was really cleverly done, very slick. They really made use of the clever yet simple set and the lighting complimented that excellently.

The cast seemed surprised and overwhelmed by the instant standing ovation last night which was really lovely to see.

One slight gripe but this is most likely down to being in a new venue with a full audience (and it was a first preview), either the band need to be turned down a tad in the mix, or the vocals need to be turned up. The band do sound great in this though, nice to be able to see them do their thing throughout too. The audience were electric last night too.

Definitely planning a repeat visit (possibly at a different angle) to take it all in again.

Was pleased they had programmes ready to buy as my last couple of visits to the National, the programmes haven't been ready early in the run (for example Phaedra's were still on a pre-order). I was also delighted to find some honey available to buy at the bookshop from the bee hives on the roof of the building.