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

Thought it was wonderful. I’m in the “definitely a musical” camp for the record. So powerful and I loved how all the stories weaved together. Brilliant performances and an all round fantastic piece of theatre. My view from the second row was great. I need to plan another visit.

I don’t remember the context of how Hendo’s is mentioned in the show so if anyone is wondering what the hell it is it’s a bit like Worcestershire Sauce. But before TallPaul kills me it’s NOT like Worcestershire Sauce because it’s unique to Sheffield and until very recently could only be purchased in Sheffield. It contains no gluten or anchovies so is 100% vegan unlike its rival. Lovely in stews, on pies, sprinkled on chips, in your Spag Bol or dare I say it in a Bloody Mary. Go easy! A little goes a long way. Fortunately it is shelf stable and never goes off. My nan had the same bottle on her pantry shelf for about 30 years. 

You can get it on Amazon now, which is an abomination. 

Best I could see, at that point - points - we were, roughly, on the cusp of the miners strike (83-84), Tony Blair ('97) and the financial crisis (2007). Plus Pulp at Glasto. So we were all wondering what comes next. And, to an extent, I still am.

There is so much to praise, though it's hard to not ponder 'what might have been's'. The very worst thing that could have happened is to have resorted to unearned sentimentality, esp. when the piece had gained so much strength from hard won sincere sentiment. It almost happened.

I understand they wanted some arcs to end in particular ways (a) dying in the broken dream of a new Jerusalem (b) literally born and dying on the estate (c) a new 21st century status for the reborn city, etc. For sure, hard, hard arcs to reconcile.

At the same time, I didn't see the depravation an unnamed female PM caused by choice in the 80s, I didn't see urban riots referenced, there was nothing on the coalition policy of Austerity - did see happy young professionals straight out of the expanded Uni demographic, plus the lure of the New World and an on-off gay romp between London and Sheffield. Perhaps the ref to Richard Curtis was self-deprecation.

What facilitated the city to turn around / a Yuppy-influenced Renaissance. And at what cost. Where does a lone parent Liberian family move to?

So near and yet so near. 5 Sean Bean's for the first half, 4 nibbling ferrets for the second.

p.s. whoever chose (as the radio) a Roberts Revival DAB in Leaf green, I salute you.

Is Baz hinting at a transfer, or is he just speculating?

"...this show will have a long life on another stage following its limited run at the National."

It's surely getting outstanding word-of-mouth. Deserves a West End run, imo.

Widespread dabbing of eyes in my row, and that was just the men.

Any thoughts on why the stage/estate structure was left as finished wood rather than have a concrete-like veneer?

Was wondering this when watching. As it is, it needs a wide stage and all of those have booking or long runners. If they took away the stage left part of the set and re-orientated the backdrop it could potentially fit somewhere smaller.

I’m sure lots of productions have transferred from the Olivier into smaller spaces successfully, and the same can be said of the opposite (remember London Road transferring from the tiny Dorfman to the Olivier).

With The Crucible transferring to the Gielgud, I think there is a chance for SATSE to transfer to a traditional WE house, Everybody's Talking About Jamie transferred from Sheffield to the WE with changes as well. 

Yeah, that's probably not going to happen.

Newsies already extended to the end of July, and they’d be mad not to run it through atleast the end of the summer holidays.

The National has played shows at troubadour venues before so it isn’t unforeseeable: but I expect they’ll adapt the set for a conventional west end space. Probably waiting for the Olivier noms.

Another stage, says Baz. I think it will be a commercial West End house.

I don't think so.