A large-scale musical by Sting about a North East England shipbuilding community facing closure, starring Sting himself.
The Last Ship is set in Wallsend, a shipbuilding town in the North East of England, where a close-knit community faces the impending closure of its shipyard. The story follows the lives of those whose identities, livelihoods, and relationships are bound to the yard, tracing themes of love, loss, and collective resilience against a backdrop of industrial decline. Sting performs the role of Jackie White, the shipyard's foreman, whose failing health coincides with a moment when his leadership is most needed.
The musical features a book by Barney Norris and is directed by Leo Warner, with set and video design by 59 Productions. The score draws on songs by Sting including Island of Souls, All This Time, and When We Dance, woven into a fully staged production featuring a company of over 50 performers. Rooted in Sting's own upbringing in Wallsend, the show has toured internationally in 2025, with engagements in Amsterdam, Brisbane, Paris, and at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
