Sting to Star in Revived Musical 'The Last Ship' in London and New York
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Sting will perform in a newly adapted production of his musical 'The Last Ship' at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane this autumn, followed by a run at New York's Metropolitan Opera in June. The production, featuring new material and a large company, is part of an international tour. The show, which earned Tony nominations in 2014, has been reworked for this run.
Facts First
- Sting will star as shipyard foreman Jackie White in 'The Last Ship' at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane from September 22 to October 3.
- The production is part of an international run with performances scheduled at New York's Metropolitan Opera in June and a return to Amsterdam in the autumn.
- The 2026 version has been reworked with a new book by Barney Norris, additional scenes, and brand new songs alongside Sting's catalog.
- The musical features a company of more than 50 and a creative team including director Leo Warner and set/video design by 59.
- The show earned Tony nominations in 2014 for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations following its Broadway premiere.
What Happened
Sting will star in a newly adapted production of his musical 'The Last Ship' at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London from September 22 to October 3. He will play the character Jackie White, a shipyard foreman with deteriorating health in a story set in the Northeast England shipbuilding town of Wallsend. The production, produced by Karl Sydow and directed by Leo Warner, is part of an international run that has already visited Amsterdam, Brisbane, and Paris. Performances are scheduled at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in June, and the production will return to Amsterdam in the autumn.
The 2026 version of the musical has been reworked to include additional scenes and newly written material. Barney Norris contributed a new book to the production, drawn from a book by Lorne Campbell, which was based on an original book by John Logan and Brian Yorkey. The production incorporates brand new songs alongside material from Sting's catalog, including 'Island of Souls', 'All This Time', and 'When We Dance'. The creative team includes set and props designer Jenny Melville, costume designer Loren Elstein, and musical supervisor and orchestrator Rob Mathes. 59 – a Journey studio – is responsible for set and video design.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a fan of musical theatre or Sting's music, this production offers a chance to see the artist perform live in a personal work that draws on his 1991 album 'The Soul Cages'. The international run, including stops in London and New York, may provide multiple opportunities to see the show depending on your location. The reworked production with new material and a large company of more than 50 could represent a significant theatrical event.
What's Next
The production will run in London this autumn before scheduled performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in June. It is then set to return to Amsterdam in the autumn, continuing its international tour. Sting has also released 'The Last Ship (Expanded Edition)', an extended version of the album featuring five new recordings, which may serve as a companion to the stage production.