Sheffield Crucible – until 21 July 2018
Reviewed by Lottie Davis-Browne
4****
Seven hills, six stories to tell, and one city – Sheffield.
With six different stories which intertwine, from a group of asylum seekers, to a same-sex couple fighting to keep the local community centre open, a trans-gender teen fighting for her rights to treatment, a Vicar on the verge of divorce from an abusive relationship, a grieving wife seeking comfort and a fresh start following the unexpected tragic death of her husband, to a Scandi-clad home furnishings store opening, Songs From The Seven Hills – the latest production to come from Sheffield People’s Theatre is based on interviews with the local community – from people who were born and raised here, to those who came seeking asylum.
The story starts with the recently deceased steel worker Gerald (Ian J France) talking about how life can quickly flash before ones eyes; Gerald then acts as a narrater of sorts as we meet the different families each with a different battle on their hands.
The first family the audience meet are part of a group of Syrian refugees sleeping rough at the borders awaiting their opportunity to flee to safety by any means possible. One of the refugees states he believes Sheffield to be his second home as a family heirloom of some stainless steel “Made In Sheffield” cutlery has been a part of his family and he states that a relative went to University in Sheffield, which is where he is hoping to settle down. The guy is an English teacher in Syria and is fleeing the war with his children.
The stories flit back and forth constantly to each of the six families stories, sometimes it’s done in such a quick way you loose track somewhat but then soon pick up the pace again.
The story seems to focus mainly on two stories – Gerald’s grieving daughter and wife striving to save The Lighthouse Community Centre in Shiregreen from closure to make way for a new housing development and Gerald’s wife being the one who eventually meets the family of refugees and having sworn her late husband has visited her she is motivated to sell the family home (yet refuses to down size instead opting for a large four-bed Victorian property she kits out in trendy “Skandea” furnishings!) and give the Syrian family a safe place to call home until they are granted asylum. The stories, although at points seem to loose their appeal, each have their highs and lows and moments most of us can relate to in our own lives.
The stage set changes constantly from everything to the back of a lorry used to smuggle the refugees into London, to the overcrowded Underground of Kings Cross St Pancras, to the local Church and the community centre, with the large ensemble being heavily involved in the process of changing sets. The Skandea store (a mock up version of Sheffield’s recently opened Ikea), was by far the best part of the stage design for me personally (yes, I was one of the people mocked in the stores official opening scene – I was sat next to the doors of the newly opened Sheffield store in my wheelchair a good hour or so before the store officially opened – eager to finally be able to buy as much flat packed furniture to make me never want to see an Allen key again!)
The Skandea song and the whole mockery of all things Ikea alone could have been made into a production – my request to Sheffield People’s Theatre is that next years production to be entitled “Skandea – The Musical – Life in Flatpack” (I think I would camp outside for tickets ahead of opening night!)
Overall Songs From The Seven Hills is witty, uplifting and most importantly tells the audience what it really means to be “Made In Sheffield”.
I have only seen a couple of productions by Sheffield People’s Theatre, none have which have particularly floated my boat. However this production has been a game changer for me. I laughed, I cried and as a newcomer to Sheffield it made me proud to be able to call Sheffield home. Bravo!