The creators of the multi award-winning musical Standing at the Sky’s Edge have received an honorary degree from Sheffield Hallam University for their contribution to the creative industries

Press contact: Emma Griffiths | e.griffiths@shu.ac.uk

Writer Chris Bush, Director Robert Hastie, and Co-Producer Rupert Lord accepted the award on behalf of the whole team at a graduation ceremony on Tuesday 21 November 2023. 

Standing at the Sky’s Edge is a love letter to Sheffield and an ode to the iconic Park Hill Estate, featuring original songs from Sheffield singer-songwriter Richard Hawley. It charts the hopes and dreams of three generations over the course of six decades. 

The award recognises the distinguished legacy which has been created through brilliant connection of storytelling to place, with Sheffield at the heart of the narrative. 

On receiving the award, the team said: “On behalf of everyone behind Standing at the Sky’s Edge, we are thrilled to be honoured in this way. This show has been made with, for and by the people of Sheffield, proudly presented on our Crucible stage, and propelled to critical acclaim and a further life at the National Theatre and now the West End by Sheffield’s incredible audiences, whose support of theatre in this city is enormous and vital to UK culture.” 

Tom Bird, Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres, said: “We are delighted that Standing at The Sky’s Edge has been honoured in this way. At Sheffield Theatres we strive to make bold and brilliant theatre for everyone, and this show has truly captivated so many people, both close to home and now in London. We are very grateful to Sheffield Hallam University for recognising Standing at the Sky’s Edge’s contribution in reflecting just a part of the rich story of our shared city.” 

After the graduation ceremony the team attended an ‘In Conversation With’ event at Sheffield Hallam’s Performance Lab where they described the creative process of developing Standing at the Sky’s Edge from 2019 to present day.  

Deputy Head of the Department of Culture and Media, Ashley Barnes, said: “We are proud of our relationship with the creative team at Sheffield Theatres, they make amazing pieces of theatre that resonate with people across the country. We are lucky to have them right on our doorstep and we are looking forward to developing the relationship between Sheffield Theatres and Sheffield Hallam staff and students.”  

Standing at the Sky’s Edge opened in March 2019 at the Crucible and won Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards and the 2020 South Bank Sky Arts Awards. 

In 2023, the production scooped two Olivier Awards for Best New Musical and Best Original Score and will transfer to the West End in February 2024.