The Last Ship, the musical by Sting, tells the story of a tight-knit shipbuilding community in Wallsend, a town in the North East of England that’s facing closure by the government, with one last ship being built in the dry dock the ship builders are not going to give up without a fight.

Sting plays the role of the ships foreman Jackie White alongside his wife Peggy White (Jackie Morrison). He has worked at the shipyard all his adult life, and with failing health, he has one last battle to face in this role.

Frances McNamee is the local landlady and has raised her daughter alone for seventeen years she is charismatic, likeably fiesty, and has an incredible voice in the role of Meg. She is desperately trying to avoid the advances from Freddie Newlands (Matt Beveridge), who offers her a range of options. However, when her ex lover Gideon (Declan Bennett) returns, it becomes clear why she has been hesitating.

Relationships,community, and fighting for the right to keep their jobs are the main themes throughout the musical. There’s some really moving solo performances. This community are not backing down despite the efforts from those higher up.

The Wallsend Ferryman is normally performed by Lejaun Sheppard. For tonight’s press night, the two-time Grammy winner Shaggy performed the role. It was his second, and as far as I am aware, it will be his last time. He was well received by the audience when he first appeared on stage and bought his Shaggy charm to the role.

The Last Ship offers a superb visual experience, the huge sets and projections by 59 Studio and lighting by (Adam Bassett). Offer the audience the illusion of looking at the great ship as a work in progress.  The workers’ passion, along with all the grease and grime of the ship building industry that was the heart of their community.

For more information about The Last Ship, please use the link below. Please note it has a short run in London.

Four Stars.

Photo credit Nienke de Groot.

https://thelastship-musical.com/cast-and-creatives/

Song List.
The Last Ship ACT 2
Nowt Else
It’s Not The Same Moon
So To Speak
That’s All That I’m Telling You Son
We Build Ships
What Say You Meg
I Love Her But She Loves Someone Else

The Last Ship (reprise)
Hadaway
Ghost Story
All This Time
Underground River (Reprise)
When We Danced
Women At The Gate
Show Some Respect
The Last Ship (finale)