Sting will star in a newly adapted version of his musical The Last Ship for a strictly limited West End run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
The production runs from 22 September to 3 October 2026 and features a new book by acclaimed writer Barney Norris, with direction by Leo Warner.
Produced by Karl Sydow, this reimagined staging also includes brand new songs, following acclaimed international performances in cities including Amsterdam, Brisbane and Paris.
Sting will take on the leading role of Jackie White, a shipyard foreman facing failing health as his community battles the closure of its shipbuilding industry.
Rooted in Sting’s own childhood in Wallsend, The Last Ship tells the story of a community defined by the shipyard that sustains it, exploring themes of love, loss and resilience.
Sting said, “I grew up in the shadow of the shipyard, I’d watch thousands of men walk to work each morning, but I dreamed of something else… I dreamed of escaping, and I did everything in my power to get away from that life. But the farther I got, the more I realized I needed to understand where I came from and felt I had to give something back. The Last Ship is my tribute to the people and the place that shaped me.”
The score includes some of Sting’s most celebrated songs including Island of Souls, All This Time and When We Dance, woven into a large-scale production featuring a company of over 50 performers.
The creative team also includes set and video design by 59, with additional design by Jenny Melville, Loren Elstein and Adam Bassett, alongside choreography by Rebecca Howell.
The musical was originally developed in 2011, inspired by Sting’s album The Soul Cages, and has since evolved through multiple productions into this newly revised 2026 staging.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
