★★★★ REVIEW: Standing at the Sky's Edge (West End) | the musical at the Gillian Lynne Theatre 2024
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- Опубликовано: 26 июл 2024
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OHMYGOD HEY!
Around a year after I last saw Standing at the Sky’s Edge at the National Theatre in London, I returned to see the show's West End transfer at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.
The musical, which combines a script by Chris Bush and the music of Richard Hawley, follows three generations living in the same flat of an iconic Sheffield housing estate, and won the 2023 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
Check out today's new video review for my thoughts on this award-winning show...
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00:00 | introduction
02:46 | overview / synopsis
06:57 | the material
11:24 | the creative choices
17:19 | the problem
21:12 | the performances
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The fact that this show is an original story really increases my interest. Hopefully, it will extend its run so I can catch it in the fall!
I can't describe how beautiful this show is. When you look at it without knowing anything, it looks like you're average play about the North England however you'll leave absolutely heartbroken yet in love with it. It's just so beautifully crafted. A properly real show about real British people who are just struggling through their everyday lives. All tied together through a flat in Park Hill. Controversially, I love the way the songs are woven in. They add context, mood and a different style of "musical number". For example Midnight Train is just beautiful; everyone on their journeys whilst Jimmy contemplates his relationship. It's not an immediate part of the storyline yet the direction is just beautiful and tells Jimmy's inner turmoil on whether to leave or not alongside other characters' current situations such as Nikki who's runs back and forth showing she's constantly being pulled back to Poppy, or Poppy's Mum who steps in a square like sequence showing she's "stuck" in her marriage mentioned earlier in the play. Or the opening number 'Time Is' shows the clocks ticking between the 60s, 80s, and 2010s, lots of the lyric actually forbode to events later in the play. For example, 'to my stone bred sons' references to Harry's pride as a foreman and the pride he has in his work. I urge everyone to see this; it's such a unique musical that tells stories of real people who live in this real estate, it's a northern musical and it takes your breath away.
I went into this show absolutely blind I absolutely loved it, so emotional. I desperately want to go again
I saw it blind tonight too and I also loved it!!!
Me too!
Another great review MickeyJo, spot on as always. There was a lot to love about this production - as you mentioned, the wonderful book, the incredible set, the emotional poignancy of the acting, the voices of the cast, the unusual choreography, the complex social themes tackled. I was already a fan of Richard Hawley, and his music here was exquisitely orchestrated, but honestly I wish he’d written some more ‘Musical Theatre’ songs for the show, and then kept in some of his big hitters like Coles Corner and Open Up Your Door. I totally agree that the pacing was really affected by the ‘pauses’ that the songs brought, and I also think this wasn’t helped by so many of the songs being slower ballads. I felt that particularly in the second half. You didn’t mention this in your review but I felt that there was also a real mixed bag in terms of accent work - the actor playing Rose had a brilliant and accurate South Yorkshire accent but some of the others were all over the place (one of the male characters in particular sounded extremely Liverpudlian at times!) However, a disclaimer is that I myself am from Sheffield so am probably a harsher judge than most in this aspect - my thoroughly Southern partner thought all the accents were fine! But overall I really loved it and it’s so brilliant to see another Crucible production making it to the West End (as Everybody’s Talking About Jamie also did!) Yay Sheffield!
I went in knowing next to nothing about it and I didn’t know Richard Hawley or his music. I really enjoyed this show and have had the cast recording on repeat. I loved the set and the fact that it doesn’t really change. I also loved how well it fit into the Gillian Lynne - brutalist housing estate meets brutalist theatre. I was really impressed with the choreography when all three families were in the same space, and with the huge ensemble moments.
Wow what a review!
I’ve seen this show 4 times at the Gillian Lynne, as my son is playing young Jimmy. I haven’t once been bored… each time I gain a different experience.
I totally agree with everything you’ve said….it’s so layered and there is so much going on. The characters are fantastic, the political themes running through the show are just right, the comedy aspect and the emotion is heart wrenching and joyous.
I respect the reason you’ve given 4 stars and I agree to some extent. I give it 5 but I’m biased!
I will defiantly be watching some of your other reviews and seeing more theatre!
OMG HEY UP.
Fantastic review. Think you sum it up beautifully.
I saw this show for the first time last Thursday (shamefully taken far too long considering I'm from Sheffield).
To give context to my day, I had rush tickets in the afternoon for Back to the future, and in the evening rush tickets for this show. I had an absolute blast with Back to the future and came out with a big ol grin on my face buzzing with high energy.
Then we get to Standing at the sky's edge and wow, totally opposite end of scale in regards to the kind of show I've just watched, but absolutely hooked in from the first scene.
The highlight for me was the scene about Hendersons relish. Three different eras in the flat referencing the Sheffield condement of all condements, and was pleased to see that many of the crowd (most of which I assume were not from Sheffield) got it and enjoyed that scene too.
I'll be honest, I often have the attention span of a Springer spaniel, and sometimes at some shows I'm willing for them just to get to the end. With this, I never wanted it to stop. Absolutely brilliant. 5 stars for me.
My first trip to the Gillian Lynne theater too. What a fab theatre, although it was rather chilly inside. Not sure if it's always that cold or wether the aircon was stuck on high. Recommended taking a jacket to anyone going in future.
Sorry for waffling on.
Us Sheffielders are fond of 'hey up' so nearly the same as your intro!
I saw the production a couple of weeks ago and in my opinion it was excellent. Some very good acting within an excellent script and very interesting storyline connection to each mini story. I enjoyed the majority of the songs far more than the original versions.
A must for any musical theatre fan.
*ey up love - to be complete
Having lived briefly in Sheffield I went along with some curiosity. The production didn't work for me. It would have been better as a play. If it was a third year drama school production I would have forgiven it. I've seen too much of this type of work over the years I'm afraid. Not for me as a musical. Given the reaction of the audience I'd say we were quite divided so I was certainly not alone in feeling this way. Glad you enjoyed it.
I have a huge emotional connection to Sheffield (my Uni city in the 80s) and saw S.A.T.S.E. in 2022.I adored it from the first 30 seconds and bawled (silently) from song 3.Saw it again last week and it has lost none of its impact.Stand out performances "Rose" and "Poppy".If you don't love it,you have a swinging brick for a heart.My daughter who is hard to please,wept.Dont miss it
What a coincidence with the timing of this video - I saw this last night and I completely agree with you! I also gave it 4 stars. For me, the lighting and set design were amazing and the vocals were incredible. But when discussing after the show last night, we also did agree that it felt like a play with songs as opposed to a musical. Completely agree with your review! :)
I have watched your channel for years and so happy because this is the first time I have seen the show before the review dropped so know exactly what you are talking about!! What I loved about this is that it is the PERFECT example of what theatre can do. In the way that film adaptations of books can often fail to live up to the prior medium of the story- I just cannot picture how this piece of art could be better told through any other medium! Absolutely fantastic
I respect your opinion, and want to offer a different perspective. I am an American who attended this show on a whim (my wife's whim, to be honest) knowing absolutely nothing about the production. The fact that I am an Anglophile with a certain degree of knowledge of the past hundred years of British history served me extremely well in understanding and appreciating the narrative. And I absolutely loved this show. However, having no previous indication that these songs were pre-existing, or who Richard Hawley even is, I was absolutely sold on where they fit and how they move the story forward. There were no lulls in the pacing of the show, the songs served to heighten the emotion and the stakes for each character. For me. Thank you. Keep up the great work!
I loved this production at the National and am looking forward to seeing it again at the Gillian Lynne, which I think may actually be the perfect space for it. I absolutely agree about the relationship of songs to the story - the script is wonderful and does all the heavy lifting in terms of character development and plot. But, as someone who doesn’t generally like jukebox musicals (for me, they never work quite as well because there is always an element of shoe-horning songs in), I loved the way this one was done. The songs work as ‘moods’ and don’t try to be something they’re not - and I actually prefer that. I think the orchestrations have brought the songs a long way from Hawley’s originals in terms of their emotional impact. Also, as an ex resident of the city, this production could not be more Sheffield - and deserves love for that reason alone…Absolutely loved that Hendo’s got a mention 😊
So as a play with songs - 5* - as a musical, 4* - but see it either way everyone!
Saw it today and then watched your thoughtful and insightful, as ever, critique. You’ve perfectly expressed the imbalance between the incredible depth and pace of the dialogue and the songs that held us in place for a time. I spent the interval wondering what to make of it but it had thoroughly got under my skin by the end and I realised I’d become hugely invested in all the stories and characters. I also like that it doesn’t come with an easy ending (I think that’s the best way to put that without spoilers). I like the idea of going to see again and from a different seat. Very glad I booked to see it!
Thank you for this review. I tend to watch your intro, decide if the show is for me. See it and then watch your full critique and you never steer me wrong!
I loved this show so much. Like a lot of other comments I found myself completely invested in the lives of the characters and heartbroken for most of the second act. The staging blew me away and the orchestra (particularly the strings in for your lover give some time) were phenomenal. This musical feels special x
Thanks Mickey for a reliably nuanced and intellectual review.
My husband & I booked to see this based on your review of an earlier production. I listened to the score on the basis of that and was determined to kbow little else (including avoiding reviews).
We LOVED it. As you say, it is nuanced, has fantastic performances and, I thought, songs that haven't stopped repeating in my head.
Your insightful comment about the songs not driving the narrative forward makes sense in hindsight.
Nevertheless, I felt this was a musical, not a Musical. (Wow, you hit the nail on the head, as always!).
It explains why I felt it was an "actors musical" akin to Sondheim as there was so much nuance in this piece of Theatre that I feel driven to see it again.
Controversially, I'm sure, we saw Hadestown this week and I felt utterly disconnected emotionally. I wanted to love it and yet, I felt like leaving at the interval (despite mainly good performances). That's a feeling I very rarely have (and I would leave in respect of the performers and crew.
Finally, thanks for your shout out to Sheffield Crucible and regional theatre. We need to celebrate it so much more.
And thanks to your channel, I've seen more theatre in the last 12 months than I have for a long time. You're a great ambassador for theatre and inclusion and may that long continue. ❤
"Nuanced" is one word for his reviews. Overblown, overlong and tedious are others.
"Nuanced" is one word for his reviews. Overblown, overlong and tedious are others.
I went to see this today and actually your review has helped me. I genuinely did not know the music was pre existing. It explains why it felt a touch removed from the show. Thanks for that. If I'd have known that before I would have enjoyed it more.
I really enjoyed the show as a whole even though it did take about half of act 1 for me to truly get there. By the end I was giving a Standing ovation before the lights came back up.
The only other thing that annoyed me slightly (and I mean very slightly) was the use of the handheld mics and stands. I found that took me out of the moment each time they were brought out.
I went in blind and wow, such a different type of musical and actually I loved it and wish more shows would do this style. I actually enjoyed the breaks from the drama with the songs, reminds me of the style of TV in the 50s when they had jazz interludes every 20 mins or so rather than adverts. The direction/staging is like nothing I've ever seen and so clever. I actually hope they extend its run because it really is something special to see
I would love to see this at the Beaumont at Lincoln Center. I would go in a heartbeat!
The Music of Richard Hawley is the core of this show .
How am I only just seeing this video?!!! 😕…. Anywho, to answer your question, being from Sheffield, you’d defo say “Oh my god, ey up”!! 😂😂….. Love this show so much, so poignant. Saw in Sheffield & at The Gillian Lynne & love they sell Hendos as part of the merch 🤗♥️ x
Samuel jordan was just incredible. Not a trained singer so to hear his work ws just amazing. ❤
So I will be honest I remember seeing about this show when it was in Sheffield in 2019 and I was like "Ok I'm definitely not seeing that" for two reasons. One because sometimes I hate shows that are so sentimental about the place and then it becomes a parody of the location they're basing on (for me I'll be a shocker but thats one of the reasons I cannot stand Blood Brothers - it's too much twee for my liking and then at the point where you are meant to care its been so twee up till then that I don't care) but the other reason was because the Crucible had previously done a new musical there being Flowers for Mrs Harris which (again forgive me - I know I'm going to sound controversial) I really didn't like and found boring. So when SATSE was announced I was like "Oh god here we go again".
Anyway fast forward to 2022 when it was the Crucible at Xmas I was like "Ok, let's give this a go." and its safe to say I was actually blown away by it. I remember the first thirty minutes each song rolled into the next scene and I was getting so frustrated because I wanted to applaud and I wasn't being given the chance (a little bit like the feeling I have whenever I watch Phantom) but it was SO good and I remember coming out of the theatre saying "There's no way any other show in the West End will compete with that - that has simply got to win Best Musical" because it was that good. Admittedly I would be interested to see if it works better in the Gillian Lynne because the thing about the Crucible is that it feels massive but it is actually a very intimate space so it tackles really well that scale of having the epic feeling and then the intimacy and this piece really brought that to life from massive moments in the show like the Act 1 finale where they physically wreck the flats to then the intimate moments at the end of Act 2 it is a beautiful piece. I think the only thing for me was when I did watch it the ending was a bit muddled so actually you didn't know who to really care for. But it is so minor it is beyond belief because actually the show is fantastic.
It fits the Gillian Lynne like a glove! Brutalist theatre and brutalist setting that were made for each other. The set is outstanding and the semi-circular auditorium offers amazing sightlines even from the "worst" seats. I have seen a lot of theatre and I have never seen such a perfect set in such a perfect setting.
I recently saw this show and absolutely loved it! I went in blind, only knowing that it was new and original and lauded by critics. I was absolutely riveted by the production and the performances. The cast was so talented, and I loved how even the ensemble members got their chances to shine in brief featured singing roles. In particular, the actresses who played Joy and Nikki were incredible! I was obsessed with the set and lighting design too. Pretty much the only thing I didn't love was the pacing. I thought the musical numbers, as good as they were, felt more like scene changes that set up or wrapped up whatever the emotional theme of the previous bit was than something that progressed the plot. I also felt that Act 2 felt more like a coda than a second movement, it seemed to lose a lot of the momentum from the first act. But overall was an incredible show, one of the best I've seen recently.
I was excited to see this play after reading reviews and knowing that it won the olivier. I call it a play because I had a difficult time relating to the music. I often found it difficult to make connections. The numbers were well done I just found many of them unnecessary. Performances were strong. But I found myself lost several times. Also felt the play was too long.
Saw the show at the weekend and absolutely loved it; one of the most powerful pieces of theatre I have ever seen. The riot scene in particular was very moving emotionally.
Did you notice the sound that was playing throughout the interval? It was very quiet at the beginning but gradually got louder and louder as the interval went on until it went straight into the thumping intro of the first song of the second half.
It was like a tense, pulsing, industrial sound. I couldn't work out what the meaning of it was but it obviously was there to mean something and would really like to understand it.
That was the sound of the drop forges from the Sheffield steel factories. Used to be able to hear them for miles around when the steel industry was thriving.
Thank you, that's really interesting to know. I knew there had to be some significance. People didn't seem to be noticing it but I notice things like that!
I saw this at the Crucible when it first came out and then recently in London.
I did think the Sheffield audience were more lively and laughed more at all the Sheffield references, which gave the show a bit more energy.
Still, it was great in London too. Only thing i would say is it is a bit too long. The lesbian couple spend too much time arguing in the second half and they just seemed to be repeating the same point over and over, so that could be cit short without damaging the story.
All in all I think it were reyt good and its worth seeing and picking up a bottle of Henderson's Relish while you're there.
I saw the original show at the Crucible whilst I was a uni student in Sheffield in 2019 - I adored it! 🤍
Hope this comes to Broadway. Is there a website to order merchandise yet???
19:35 Interesting. While I felt that some songs didn't fit very well, especially in Act 1, I thought For Your Lover Give Some Time was wonderfully placed. I didn't read it as clashing with the narrative. It came across as the last reverie of a woefully depressed man dreaming of putting things right... when it felt clear that that was unlikely to happen. It was so powerfully bittersweet to me.
This sounds like such a good show!!! I'll never make it across the pond, so you think a successful west end run might lead it to the US?
The possibility is apparently being explored!
I think non English people might have problems connecting to it. The characters are wafer thin, the music is fine but forgettable,and the city seems to be the main character a city most people probably have never heard of
@emhu2594 I'm sorry to contradict you, however, I disagree. The songs have been earorms that over a week after seeing the show, I wake and hum too.
The story may be set in Sheffield, yet the story of deundustrialisation and its is transferrable. As are the themes of 'home" and "community" that @mickeyjoe highlights.
Stories such as The Full Monty and Billy Elliott are just two that come to mind that have crossed the Atlantic.
I went to this show with no expectations and left committed to seeing it again.
@@MikePhillipsTraining full Monty and Billy Elliott were good shows about people, not a very specific place. I'm glad you liked it. Im guessing you're English. Something about it seems to awaken a nationalist sentiment that as an American I didn't really get.
@@emhu2594 I‘m German, and I absolutely loved the show at the National! Bought two copies of the cast recording so I could listen to it everywhere 😅, and now I’m very much looking forward to seeing it with the new cast in three weeks.
Do you think it would be enjoyable for a tourist?
Oh my god hey --> ey up duck 😁
Also, I wanted to hear the story of the “I love you, will you marry me?” I understand it’s like a place will hold so many stories we will never know or only get glimpses of but it would have been really cool if it was something that could have been put together by the audience with bits of dialog from each time period
Cause it would have made sense if it had something to do with the narrator/housing agent/ Constance but she seemed sincere when saying it wasn’t her story to tell
Ok but why did every single creative choice remind me of next to normal. Not saying that’s bad. I liked all the choices. I like next to normal
Is it still a VERY LOUD show?
Yes! I just saw it last night and had to use my earplugs to muffle the sound to a tolerable level. I’ve never had to use them at other musicals, only rock concerts, if that offers any context. I enjoyed the show, but it did trigger a migraine.
Great detailed review - have to say I enjoyed your review more than the show . I thought it was very clever and brilliant set and feel like I should have loved it . But none of the songs stuck with me and I’m afraid to say I was a tad bored . However , what a beautiful theatre - once you got past the lobby areas . Not been to the Gillian Lynne before
A heads up to people who will only see this at Gillian Lynne. It’s not as good a production as the NT. Some of the cast are still brilliant, Samuel Jordan for example but Elizabeth Ayodele is no Faith Omole and it hurts the GL production.
The NT cast were great. Truly.
In general I think the GL bunch are a marginal improvement. And I like Elizabeth a lot. But Faith was the heart and soul of that original London run.
It was not to your taste. Just say that.
For me, the stories were very overdone for me. Maybe the later two are newer in britain but as an American, they feel overdone. And then the earliest one, I think they’re are more nuanced, interesting stories about this time period and this event that we can tell. And they absolutely all seemed cliche to me. The alcoholic dad, the teen pregnancy halting dreams of careers, the millennial feeling lost. Yes these are stories that very much exist in real life but there are others that do to and I wish would be represented
You're "southern"? As an American, I just can't discern that much difference between various UK speech patterns. If I were to see this show, would I pick up on the change in the character's accent?
Also, England being so small, (comparatively) it's odd to me that "southern" is so close to "northern".
I am from Sheffield and accents can be very distinctly different within 40 miles.
Indeed I can recognize Barnsley as different and its barely 15 miles away.
Very proud of Richard Hawleys success,met him a time first time st a fundraiser for the childrens hospital
Si'thee
While it's fine, i think i err on the side of not really recommending this show. The pre teen next to me squirmed with boredom the whole time and i really cant blame her. There was so much back story and motivations held back from the audience that i felt nothing for any of the characters. Whole character arcs happen off stage and when they come back wih a different personality it makes no sense. And even if you paid me $100 i would not be able to hum any of the songs from the show. There were good and well sung, but totally unmemorable. I hate the character getting back with the toxic partner.
I think all three lead women in this had romantic partners who were, in one way or another, not entirely good for them (Harry was chauvinistic, Jimmy was inconsistent when it came to commitment) - but I read it as a deliberate device to add uncertainty to all their stories as they begin a life in the flats. ‘It’s the hope that kills you, but also keeps you alive’ etc. On another level though, I loved Poppy, so Nikki better step up 😂
My goodness I couldnt disagree more.The songs are total earworm
Someone here commented that the review is "nuanced". It is, but also overblown, overlong and tedious.
I went to see this in February and I am in love with it. I am from just down the road from Sheffield and drove past the flats every week as a child.