Amsterdam, Paris… New York… Brisbane… Look at us- listed there amongst those great locations! The Last Ship is certainly a scoop for both Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and the state.
A Karl Sydow production, this exclusive to Brisbane event, is a musical written by, and starring Sting. Obviously, the man is a massive drawcard for potential maximum audience attendance. The new Glasshouse Theatre was full of fans on opening night.
Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner (the artist known as Sting) was born in England in 1951. He’s famed as frontman, bassist and songwriter of the renowned band, Police. Punk-inspired, along with reggae and other influences, they were big in the seventies and eighties.
Success for Sting continued after he launched his solo career in 1985. As both soloist and band member, he has sold over 100 million records. His best known numbers are Every Breath you Take, Roxanne and Message in a Bottle. Songs that you sing in your head as you read the title.
As for awards and accolades, Sting is much decorated and celebrated: 17 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, nominated for four Oscars. He has a CBE and even a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Last Ship is set in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear in the UK. Sting hails from the locality and while he was glad to get out of there when young, his origins have continued to inspire him. This was evident back in 1991 when his album, The Soul Cages was released.
Whilst I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to watch Sting perform, I have mixed feelings about the musical: positives blend with some misgivings. It was well cast with strong performers, great musicians and special effects, but some of the scenes felt somewhat lacklustre. A bit too back to basics for a production of this calibre.
Unmissable, was the enormous backdrop of a massive ship’s stern. She was under construction. Assuming she was in a dry dock, I couldn’t overlook the lack of a propeller. The storyline was engaging. Thematically, nothing new – industrial decline, unemployment, the little people versus the big developers; comings and goings, death… but it was compellingly told.
The Last Ship focuses on just that – the last ship built in Wallsend before, like Harland and Wolff in Belfast, the building of big ships moved elsewhere. Despite the strong spirit of resistance displayed by the workers and the successful completion of that final ship, I don’t know ultimately what they achieved or secured for their future.
The leads in this production were stellar standouts including Shaggy. Sting of course, starring as Jackie White was a riveting performer. Now aged 75, he’s still a good looker with chiselled features, trim physique and mesmerising eyes. The dude exudes expertise and showmanship. His acting skills are convincing, his vocals are still strong and sexy.
Annette McLaughlin as his devoted wife was well cast. A seasoned performer, her bio is hugely impressive. Declan Bennett as returned commando, Gideon and Lauren Samuels as Meg were both superb.
It was their film star looks, on stage chemistry and powerful performances that made me think that this musical could do well as a film. Hannah Richardson as their daughter, Ellen is at the start of her career having scored this casting and delivered well.
However, I’m unsure how this production will be received when it returns to New York. The previous issues disliked by the Manhattanites remain – the Tyneside accents of working class people, and a failed ship building industry. Perhaps, having toured in Europe and Down Under, it will now be perceived as a trending ‘must see’. I have no problems with the accents. My father is from Belfast.
Personally, I am immensely glad that I attended and I feel privileged to have been invited to review the production. Overall, I enjoyed it and I recommend it to those considering attending. Opening night was rewarded with a standing ovation.
Well done to Rachel Healy Chief Executive of QPAC and all others involved in securing this scoop for Queensland.
The Last Ship
Glasshouse Theatre – QPAC, Cultural Precinct, South Bank (Brisbane)
Performance: Saturday 11 April 2026
Season continues to 3 May 2026
Information and Bookings: www.qpac.com.au
Images: Sting and the Company of The Last Ship – photo by Mark Senior | Sting in The Last Ship – photo by Mark Senior | The Company of The Last Ship – photo by Mark Senior | Shaggy, Annette McLaughlin and Sting in The Last Ship – photo by Pixeline Photographie | The Company of The Last Ship – photo by Mark Senior
Review: Michele-Rose Boylan