Theatre News

Jimmy Nail to star in UK premiere of Sting musical The Last Ship

The production will open at Northern Stage before touring the UK

Jimmy Nail, Sting and Lorne Campbell
Jimmy Nail, Sting and Lorne Campbell
© Mark Savage

Sting's musical The Last Ship will receive its UK premiere in a brand new production at Northern Stage next year, before setting sail on a national tour.

Directed by Northern Stage's artistic director Lorne Campbell, the production will star Jimmy Nail, last seen on stage in the West End production of War of the Worlds.

Sting's first musical – which had its Broadway premiere in 2014 starring Wicked star Rachel Tucker – is inspired by his own childhood experiences and his 1991 album The Soul Cages.

Premiering at the Newcastle venue from 12 March to 7 April, the musical returns home to tell the story of a community and the demise of the shipbuilding industry in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, following the closure of the town's Swan Hunter shipyard.

Tickets start at £10 and will go on general sale on 9 November.

The Last Ship runs at Northern Stage from 12 March to 7 April before continuing on tour to Liverpool, Birmingham, Northampton, Leeds, Nottingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, York and Salford.