The Last Ship

See it if you love Sting's music. Rousing songs well-sung. The book is a mess, tho, both the plot and dialogue. Choreog disappoints (all stomping)

Don't see it if you want a sophisticated musical. This needs more attn to the writing. The actors can't pull off the weak material. Still, not a disaster.

Also I'm going back to review shows I saw before joining Show Score. The Last Ship frustrated me as unnecessarily amateurish. If effort had been made to the script, Sting's songs would have been showcased in a worthy vehicle.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of Sting.

Don't see it if you like good music and characters that act in character.

See it if You like bleak musicals about characters that are not particularly likable who you do not root for.

Don't see it if You are expecting see likable relatable characters you can root for. I just did not care for this story or music. The staging is bleak.

See it if like Sting!

Don't see it if You aren't sentimental

See it if You love Sting's music, no matter how it's conveyed.

Don't see it if You are expecting a jukebox musical or a more straightforward, interesting story.

See it if a straightforward, prodigal-son-comes home story appeals to you.

Don't see it if you want your show to break new ground; this doesn't. But the music, direction, and performances were all standouts. Very worthwhile show.

See it if you want to see something original with music by Sting (I also saw him in the show and it really added to the experience).

Don't see it if you're expecting a Sting jukebox musical.

See it if You want a slightly sad story about a community refusing to modernize, but great cast including Sting

Don't see it if You need to be invested in the story; I couldn't help getting frustrated that this town would spend so many resources on an unwanted ship

See it if Show was a bit plodding. Story was familiar, did not bring out any particular characters. Story of the decline of another industry.

Don't see it if You want something bright and cheerful, you want to come out humming a happy tune

See it if you want to see what life was like in the shipbuilding town where Sting grew up

Don't see it if you can't get over that some elements of the story were manipulated to fit Sting's existing songbook

Also I knew little about this show going into it and I don't think it got its fair shake. it was a compelling story, even if a bit contrived. Performances were wonderful all around, especially Fred Applegate. I wish this one had stuck around a bit longer and that more people gave it a chance.... Read more Read less

See it if you like the songs from sting and him acting.

Don't see it if you want a better musical.

See it if You are a big Sting fan, and are good at completely suspending disbelief in the name of emotional arcs.

Don't see it if You are unable to completely shut down your brain while watching a show, leading you to realize how laughably ridiculous the plot is.

See it if you enjoy shows with original music. Or if you are a fan of Sting and his music.

Don't see it if you are looking for an old school musical with lots of dance numbers.

See it if you want to see an intelligent, original musical, with a great score by Sting; unfortunately was underrated during its all too short run

Don't see it if you are not a fan of smart, serious musicals, or only want to see things with happy endings and tons of laughs.

See it if You enjoy musicals and bittersweet stories - cliches yes - but they play around with them in a good way

Don't see it if Big shows

Also I thought I would hate it but no I loved it. The story was compelling – workers losing their jobs and dignity as the shipyard is closed. The fight back and an occupation at the shipyard to build one last great ship. It has a classic but not overly simplified love story – girl loses her first great love but has found a good relationship in the meantime – what does she do when the teen lover she has pined for finally comes home? Really great songs / singing - Rachel Tucker in the female lead role of Meg Dawson was great. This was an expensive production with great staging.... Read more Read less

See it if you like an interesting story with great music. Even if you're not a fan of Sting, there's a lot to enjoy.

Don't see it if you dislike traditional musicals. No real surprises in this.

See it if you're a huge Sting fan & want to hear his original score, or if you're into Irish shipyards for some weird reason.

Don't see it if you're looking for something resonant or particularly exciting.... b/c this show was slow & on the dull side.

See it if you're a Sting fan.

Don't see it if you want to see a compelling show.

See it if you're a Sting fan, or an Anglophile, you like the thought of men dancing with flaming, sparking welding tools - or just want to be moved

Don't see it if you're not a fan of Sting tunes, you want it all happy and peppy

See it if I saw THE LAST SHIP 1st w/o Sting & then with and believe it or not I liked it better with the original actor in the role.

Don't see it if If U don't like Sting's music then U might not care for this. If U don't like hearing a Priest say the "F-word" then skip it.

See it if You want to see a new musical, while about an odd topic, had wonderful music and a moving story. The set was very impressive.

Don't see it if You are not a fan of Sting's music.

See it if you want to take a guy to the theatre that doesn't really like theatre! It's a fun evening with a bunch of great songs and a solid story.

Don't see it if you are looking for a masterpiece of a show. It is definitely flawed but most everyone will still have a good time.

See it if you like Sting to excuse all else

Don't see it if the above doesn't apply.

See it if you enjoy thoughty musical theatre with an English working man/historical basis, a la Billy Elliot, Kinky Boots, etc. & Sting's music.

Don't see it if you are not a fan of Sting or prefer lots of action in your shows.

See it if like the music of Sting.

Don't see it if you don't like father-son relationships.