Shaggy to star alongside Sting in West End production of 'The Last Ship'
The show follows the moving story of a community of shipbuilders in the North East of England, as they are faced with the closure of their shipyard, and directly draws on Sting's own childhood in the shipbuilding town of Wallsend.
Reggae singer Shaggy will star in the reimagined 2026 adaptation of Sting's musical The Last Ship for two nights only at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. He will play the role of the Wallsend Ferryman.
Due to prior commitments, he will only reprise his role at the first London performance on 22 September and at the gala on 23 September.
Sting said: "I immediately knew Shaggy was the perfect man for this role. He has a great sense of mischief, a great sense of joy, and he's also a natural actor. We've taken the Ferryman all over the world together this year, and I'm thrilled he's crossing over to Drury Lane with me too, even if only for two performances."
Featuring a new book by Barney Norris, as well as direction by Leo Warner and set and video design by 59, a Journey studio, The Last Ship was initially inspired by Sting's 1991 album The Soul Cages. The show follows the moving story of a community of shipbuilders in the North East of England, as they are faced with the closure of their shipyard, and directly draws on Sting's own childhood in the shipbuilding town of Wallsend.
The 17-time Grammy Award winning artist will perform throughout the run until 3 October, playing shipyard foreman Jackie White. The show will feature his songs such as "Island of Souls", "All This Time", and "When We Dance".
The creative team also includes set and props designer Jenny Melville, costume designer Loren Elstein, lighting designer Adam Bassett, sound designer Tom Gibbons, animation director Matt Taylor, choreographer Rebecca Howell, video designer Benjamin Pearcy, and musical supervisor and orchestrator Rob Mathes.
The remaining cast will be announced soon.
Book The Last Ship tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk
Photo credit: Shaggy in The Last Ship. (Courtesy of production)
Frequently asked questions
What is The Last Ship about?
Sting returns to the world that made him in The Last Ship, a heartfelt musical about shipbuilders, community, and the cost of leaving home.
What's the age recommendation for The Last Ship?
The recommended age for The Last Ship is Ages 12+. .
Where is The Last Ship playing?
The Last Ship is playing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The theatre is located at Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF.
How long is The Last Ship?
The running time of The Last Ship is 2hr 50min. Incl. 1 Interval.
How do you book tickets for The Last Ship?
Book tickets for The Last Ship on London Theatre.
How much do tickets cost for The Last Ship?
Tickets for The Last Ship start at £70.
Who wrote The Last Ship?
The Last Ship has music and lyrics by Sting and a new book by Barney Norris.
What songs are in The Last Ship?
There are many songs in The Last Ship, including “Island of Souls,” “All This Time,” and “When We Dance.”
Who directed The Last Ship?
Leo Warner is the director.
Is The Last Ship appropriate for kids?
This production is best suited for audiences 12 and up. Children under 4 will not be admitted to the theatre, and anyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over and must not be seated alone.
Is The Last Ship good?
The Last Ship is a heartfelt musical featuring Sting in his own show, with a story near and dear to his heart. This large-scale production brings his songs and story to the West End stage for a beautiful night of theatre.
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