The landmark new musical, Standing at the Sky’s Edge, opens at the Crucible on Friday 15 March, and Sheffield Theatres is giving the people of Park Hill a chance to see it first.
Throughout the process of creating Standing at the Sky’s Edge, the theatres have worked closely with both ex and current residents of Park Hill and surrounding areas. On Thursday 14 March, these local groups, individuals and organisations will be invited to be the first to see the show in its Public Dress Rehearsal.
As part of this engagement project with the communities of Park Hill, Sheffield Theatres has created the ‘People of Park Hill’ project, speaking to ex and current residents of the estate about their history, lives and stories of living in Sheffield’s most iconic building – these stories are available on social media and will be played within the Crucible during the run of Standing at the Sky’s Edge.
In addition, ‘Songs from the Sky’s Edge’, has seen Sheffield Theatres bringing the community-based Everyone’s Singing Group, a based in the Manor & Castle Park and Arbourthorne neighbourhoods of Sheffield together with professional musician, Luke Carver Goss. Across several weeks the group are creating a song, giving voice to their own stories and experiences of community, place and heritage, culminating in performances in the Crucible foyer before Standing at the Sky’s Edge on Wednesday 27 March.
Finally, with thanks to Urban Splash, the photographic work of Bill Stephenson – which was recently part of the hugely successful Love Among the Ruins exhibition at Park Hill – will be displayed at the Crucible and Park Hill-based cafe, South Street Kitchen, throughout the run of Standing at the Sky’s Edge. The theatres is also putting a call out to people who have lived in or around Park Hill over the last 60 years to share their photos with them.
Dan Bates, Chief Executive at Sheffield Theatres, said: ‘”Standing at the Sky’s Edge is the story of our city. We’ve connected with so many people have contributed to the show’s development or are participating in music, photography or oral history projects that are inspired by it. These people, most of whom have never been to our theatres before, are at the heart of this musical and I’m delighted that we’re able to share the show with them first.”
Standing at the Sky’s Edge runs at the Crucible Theatre from Friday 15 March – Saturday 6 April.
