Hawley was even allowed to work “some gags” and some local humour into the script too to give it “a unique flavour”. 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 2022 - National Theatre". www.nationaltheatre.org.uk . Retrieved 17 August 2023. A love letter to Sheffield and a history of modern Britain told through the stories of one iconic estate, Standing at the Sky’s Edge charts the hopes and dreams of three generations over the course of six tumultuous decades. a b Hyden, Steven (29 June 2012). "Review: Richard Hawley – Standing at the Sky's Edge". Pitchfork . Retrieved 28 October 2012.

We keep talking about doing something together. I’d like it; I think we would be interesting. We get on great and she’s a right laugh. I admire her guts to take on the mantle that she does. To do it so fearlessly is quite a rare thing these days. I admire her very much.” Hawley has also described the untimely and tragic death in February 2010 of his close friend, Sheffield guitarist Tim McCall, as the "catalyst for a lot of musical activity" [6] and the reason for the change in musical style on the album, saying "...the thing with Tim passing away... is that it made me kind of think musically is there anything I've left undone... and I thought, I haven't really ever just used the guitar as the only vehicle". [7] Early attempts at the show didn’t go to plan. By this time Rob Hastie had taken over at Sheffield Theatres and he suggested that they meetChris Bush, a local playwright. Within 48 hours Bush had come up with a “pretty good treatment” said Lord. Hardy, Tony (14 May 2012). "Review: Richard Hawley – Standing at the Sky's Edge". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved 2 September 2012.

Gallery

The National Theatre co-production with Sheffield Theatres opened at the Olivier Theatre, London, on 9 February 2023 to favourable critical reaction. [5] West End (2024) [ edit ] 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. After at first finding the idea of a musical of his songs to be “ludicrous”, Hawley then came around and handed his songs over to “the real geniuses” of director artistic director Robert Hastie and playwright Chris Bush.

Wright, Helen. "Review: Richard Hawley, Standing At the Sky's Edge". MusicOMH . Retrieved 28 October 2012. Asked if he’d be likely to join them on stage again, he replied: “We shall have to wait and see. There’s no point in me giving the game away now! He meant that he didn’t want it to be what he called a musical musical. He warned me that I’d be dead if I allowed that to happen,” Lord told us. “He was joking but I knew what he meant.” Akbar, Arifa (14 February 2023). "Richard Hawley pulls on the heartstrings in his Sheffield opus". The Guardian . Retrieved 27 March 2023.Opposing the new owners and arguing that the staff who’ve built up the venue over the years should be allowed to continue running it under the same name, Hawley told NME: “It doesn’t take a genius to work it out – it’s our Cavern or Hacienda. It’s as important as those places. It’s not just a Sheffield thing because it’s on the circuit for bands to play and it’s such a great venue. It’s run so well. Magnificent... wonderful... possesses remarkable breadth and depth... a moving and resonant piece' The Times Rebecca is amazing,” Hawley told NME. “You can throw anything at her and she’ll just perform it so well – like she’s been singing it for years.