The Last Ship

Sting and the cast of THE LAST SHIP – Toronto Production 2019. Photo credit: Cylla von Tiedemann.

Sting's musical The Last Ship has landed in Toronto for a limited engagement at the Princess of Wales Theatre. This exclusive production stars Sting (Gordon Sumner) himself and features a revised book by director Lorne Campbell.

Set in a shipbuilding community in Tyne and Wear, UK, (Wallsend in 1986 to be precise), The Last Ship tells the story of a people and their way of life through the eyes of local inhabitants and workers. The musical centres around Foreman Jackie White (Sting), as he grapples with news that the town's shipyard will be shut down. At the same time, the narrative follows Gideon Fletcher (Oliver Savile), a local boy who returns home after seventeen years at sea to discover he has a daughter, Ellen (Sophie Reid), with old flame Meg Dawson (Frances McNamee). 

While Gideon battles to win the hearts of Ellen and Meg, Jackie fights for his life and the livelihood of his community. It's a rousing tale that will hit home especially for anyone from a community impacted by the process of deindustrialization.

Featuring impressive design work and projections by 59 Productions set against Sting's poetic score, The Last Ship is as visually moving as it is musically captivating. Fans of Sting's music will not be disappointed as his signature style stands out in every number. Songs such as the title piece "The Last Ship" will play on repeat in your head long after you've left the theatre.

Some audience members may find it tough to follow the Geordie dialect in this show, but thankfully the programme includes a handy glossary that may or may not make it easier to understand. Either way, the music and performances are transcendent enough that it won't matter if you miss a few words here or there.

The Last Ship runs until March 24, 2019 at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Visit Mirvish.com for more information and to buy tickets.