Sting and Shaggy Set Sail in The Last Ship in Brisbane

Musician Sting is performing in a new production of his musical The Last Ship at the Glasshouse Theatre in Brisbane, Australia. The production, which also features reggae artist Shaggy, is part of an international run that includes performances in Paris, Amsterdam, and New York.

Production and Cast Details

Sting performs in the role of foreman Jackie White. Reggae artist Shaggy performs as the Wallsend Ferryman. Other cast members include Lauren Samuels as Meg Dawson and Declan Bennett as Gideon Fletcher. Sting has stated that the character of Gideon Fletcher is loosely based on himself.

The production has a run time of nearly three hours. The set, designed by 59 Productions, combines physical industrial scenery with digital projections. The musical's score incorporates folk, ballads, and choral numbers, including songs such as "Island of Souls," "All This Time," and "When We Dance."

Background and Development

Sting wrote the music and lyrics for The Last Ship, drawing on material from his 1991 album The Soul Cages and his family's history in the shipbuilding industry in Wallsend, England. The musical was first developed in 2011 and premiered in 2014. This current version includes new scenes, music, and updated characters.

The story involves the potential closure of a shipyard and explores themes of community, labor, identity, and mortality.

Statements and Context

In interviews, Sting has framed the musical as a personal tribute. He said:

"My community made me who I am. They gave me a sense of dignity, a sense of work ethic that I still have. I wanted to thank my community and my parents, and telling the story is a way of doing that."

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is presenting the show. QPAC has stated the production is part of an effort to position Brisbane as a global destination for the arts.