Standing at the Sky's Edge- Gillian Lynne

An absolute masterpiece in great British theatre, Standing at the Sky's Edge (SATSE) has been on a beautiful journey so far, from two sensational seasons in Sheffield, to a critically acclaimed run at National Theatre. A contemporary love letter to Park Hill estate in Sheffield, it tells the story of 50 years worth of history in one room. With three stories playing out simultaneously of three very different families, SATSE takes us on a punchy journey through the highs, lows, loves and losses experienced over the years.

Chris Bush's writing takes on a life of its own, full of sensitivity, nuance and flair, that weaves together multiple stories in the most tender and intricate of ways. Bush successfully weaves together the multiple simultaneous narratives in such a clever manner, to showcase the similarities and differences across the decades, with many satisfying payoffs, culminating in a beautiful embodiment of the very essence of humanity.

The dynamic cast of characters are beautifully fleshed out and convey such a wide range of challenges and emotions in such a short period of time - producing a remarkable story, that is both heart-warming and heart-breaking. Hope, optimism, life's crushing disappointments and cruel twists of fate, are all central to this production and are developed with such authenticity, that SATSE should be considered a love letter to life and love in itself.

Interspersed and woven in with intricate care, are the beautifully versatile and intelligent songs of Sheffield singer-songwriter Richard Hawley. If unfamiliar with his works, one would find it very hard to believe that they weren't written specifically for the show - from the rousing Open Up Your Door, to the lyrically stunning titular number - from their innate ability to delve in even deeper into Bush's masterful dialogue and punctuate the story.

Another stunning element, in this perfect mix, is Ben Stones' visually stunning choreography, a fusion of richly detailed and intricate interpretive dance, with historical and heartfelt emotion. A particular highlight is the closing number of Act 1, There's a Storm A-coming, which perfectly portrays the intense emotion and mayhem following Thatcher's election in 1979.

The standout performances of a vast and incredibly talented cast were those of Laura Pitt-Pulford and Lauryn Redding, who play Poppy and Nicky respectively. Although a much slower burn storyline, compared with the earlier two time periods, once Poppy finally allows her walls to come down, and the slightly difficult character of Nicky is properly introduced, both ladies are a wealth of warmth and love, in their captivating shared scenes, which are a sight to behold. It's incredibly easy to want to name every single performance, no matter how major or minor, because every member of this immensely strong company leaves their mark on that stunning stage.

Overall, Standing at the Sky's Edge is a masterpiece of modern theatre, that has penetrated the nation's hearts since its debut. Its unrivalled ability to blur the lines between fact and fiction through its raw, unflinching, skilful and realistic nature has such a profound impact on its audiences- leaving them laughing, crying, loving and most importantly, living at the beauty of the nature of life and humanity itself.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐