A Musical Several Years in the Making

Following three years of careful research and writing, the brand new musical by music legend, Sting, is set to have its world premier in Chicago this summer. The production will be directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and Broadway stars Michael Esper (American Idiot) and Rachel Tucker (We Will Rock You).

Similar in theme to Billy Elliot's raw portrayals of human relationships put under pressure by financial strain, The Last Ship depicts the universal story of survival and love in families and close-knit communities through Sting's haunting music.

What is The Last Ship about?

When they shipyard finally closes in the 1980s, former foreman Jackie White (Jimmy Nail) inspires to his co-workers to take over the shipyard and build one final ship. Meanwhile, prodigal son Gideon (Michael Esper) returns home after his father's death, having left fifteen years prior to avoid following his shipbuilder father's vocation - abandoning his relationship with Meg (Rachel Tucker) whom he left behind. Is he too late to make amends and start their lives together?

Stemming from Sting's own memories of growing up in the North East of England in Wallsend near Newcastle - which also serve as the inspiration for his 1990 album The Soul Cages - The Last Ship tells the emotive and inspiring story of a struggling shipyard and the workers who help construct these titanic triumphs of man's mechanical and creative genius.