Shaggy to join Sting in new West End production of The Last Ship

Shaggy is set to co-star in Sting’s musical The Last Ship for just two nights at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

The global reggae icon will reprise his role as the Wallsend Ferryman opposite Sting as Jackie White in the reimagined 2026 adaptation of the musical.

The Last Ship arrives in London following a global tour. Shaggy will perform in two shows only: on the first performance in the West End on 22 September and at the gala night the following evening.

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.”

The musical will run for a limited engagement from 22 September to 3 October 2026, with Sting appearing in every performance while continuing his ongoing STING 3.0 World Tour.

Produced by Karl Sydow, the new staging features a new book by acclaimed writer Barney Norris and is directed by Leo Warner, with set and video design by 59, a Journey studio. The show, which is inspired by Sting’s upbringing in the shipbuilding town of Wallsend, will also include newly written numbers. It draws on themes first explored in his 1991 album The Soul Cages, and follows a community facing the closure of their local shipyard.

Hear from Sting himself:

The remaining cast will be announced soon.