Sheffield Crucible – until 6 April 2019
Reviewed by Lottie Davis-Browne
4****
Standing at The Sky’s Edge is an across-the-decades tribute to Sheffield’s concrete jungle block of a housing development – Park Hill. Written by Richard Hawley (music and lyrics) with book by Chris Bush – the title is also the title of Mercury Prize nominated 2012 album for Hawley (formerly a member Sheffield formed band Pulp), the stories of three different families all living within the housing development at different decades – from newly married couple Harry (Robert Lonsdale) and Rose (Rachael Wooding) – an optimistic working class couple who move into the newly built development in 1960 – carrying her over the threshold in excitement of what the future holds for the pair – “If I’m gonna do this I’m gonna do it properly” (Harry to Rose) as he carries her through the flat door for the first time.
In 1989 the flat becomes occupied by Grace (Deborah Tracey), and her niece and nephew George (Fela Lufadeju) and Joy (Faith Omole) – an academic teen who is quick to learn the Sheffield lingo – (the H in Hendersons’ relish is apparently silent – who knew?!), with the help of local Sheffield born lad Jimmy (Adam Hugill) – who rescues Joy from some bullies shortly after her arrival to the UK – with constant taunts of “Go Home!”, as she confides in her Aunt Grace over dinner about it one evening – who responds by telling her to ignore them and rise above it.
During Joy’s teen years, Park Hill has taken a rapid decline and is no longer a desirable place to live – it is rife with crime and violence. However the shy young teen soon blossoms as the years pass into the early 90’s and beyond – later becoming a Nurse, still in love with her childhood sweetheart Jimmy.
In 2016 middle-class Poppy (Alex Young) moves into the flat – having fled her troubled relationship with Nikki in Brixton. Having secured a job up North, Poppy is enthusiastic to finally be on the property ladder – by this point the once so-called purpose-built “affordable housing” was mainly privately owned – following the closing of the development in 2003, where the then mainly Social Housing tenants occupied the flats were moved out for a full refurbishment to take place, (by developers “Urban Splash”) apparently with the belief that once the works were completed they would be moving back into the newly refurbished flats – however, following the re-opening in 2013, the majority (257 flats) were put up for sale, whilst just 56 flats became rentals and 12 shared ownership), which at the time caused conflict and controversy. What was originally designed to bring affordable housing to the City Centre became a cash-cow for the developers.
When Poppy’s equally middle class parents come to visit the flat, they are less than impressed with the location and the development, urging her to come back to London, but Poppy states that for the first time in years she has actually got to know her neighbours – “I’ve even baked!”, she jokes as she tells her parents how she loves being part of a community.
As the three families stories develop over the decades (each living in the same flat at different times) we see each character go through various highs and lows – set to the stunning backdrop of Ben Stones set design – a perfect replica of the original complex – the bold concrete pillars and the typical decks above it (my companion for the evening had an Aunt live in Park Hill before the redevelopment took place – having never been to Park Hill myself I was clueless, however my companion stated that it brought memories flooding back from her youth when she would visit her Aunt). The live band is cleverly housed within the decks, the tunes are original and catchy – the group choreography being particularly mesmerising to watch with some superb solo vocalists – Maimuna Mermon as Nikki (“Open Up Your Door”), Alex Young as Poppy (“Lady Solitude”), Nicole Deon as Connie (title song), not forgetting the incredible voice of Faith Omole as Joy!
Whilst I am a very new Sheffield resident myself (less than three years), with little history of the Park Hill development other than passing it on the tram a few times in the last year or so, I was able to relate to the strong sense of community and pride of Sheffield as an ever developing city. Whilst tonight was the official opening night, the production has been running since Friday 15th March – achieving standing ovations from the word go – I can see this production selling out before the end of the run; following on from the success of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie its clear to say that Sheffield Theatres Productions have once again produced another smash hit!