Standing at the Sky's Edge

Chris Bush and Richard Hawley's musical, a history of modern Britain told through the stories of one Sheffield housing estate. Winner of the Best New Musical award at the 2023 Olivier Awards.

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Poppy wants to escape her old life in London. Joy and Jimmy want to spend the rest of their lives together. Rose and Harry want the new life they've been promised.


A history of modern Britain told through the stories of one Sheffield housing estate, Standing at the Sky's Edge charts the hopes and dreams of three generations over the course of six tumultuous decades. With a book by acclaimed playwright Chris Bush, and set to the irresistible songs of legendary singer-songwriter Richard Hawley, it is a heartfelt exploration of the power of community and what it is we call home.


Standing at the Sky's Edge was first performed at Sheffield Theatres in 2019, when it won Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards and the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre. It was revived in 2022, before transferring to the National Theatre, London, directed by Robert Hastie.


It won Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards 2023, with Richard Hawley and Tom Deering's work also awarded Best Original Score or New Orchestations.