Sting

To benefit the Sage Gateshead 10th Birthday Appeal, Sting will perform songs from ‘The Last Ship’, his latest album and new Broadway musical of the same name.

Inspired by and set in Sting’s hometown of Wallsend, ‘The Last Ship’ tells a universal story. Drawn from his childhood growing up beside the Swan Hunters shipyard, ‘The Last Ship’ is very personal to Sting yet also echoes the experiences of those working in shipyards along the Wear, Clyde, Mersey or any Northern port, as well as post-industrial communities the world over.

The play was originally work-shopped with local musicians and actors at Newcatle’s Live Theatre – ahead of its upcoming Broadway debut – but for Sting, it was never in doubt that the songs of ‘The Last Ship’ should be performed for a North East audience.

Sting will be joined onstage by many of the region’s best loved musicians including fiddle and Northumbrian pipe player Kathryn Tickell and The Wilson Family from Billingham.

The homecoming of ‘The Last Ship’ has generated great excitement and support from partners. Leading the support is Cunard, the international cruiseline company, who commissioned many of the greatest ships from the Swan Hunter Shipyard in Wallsend. Additional support from Port of Tyne and Shepherd Offshore.

These will be the only UK performances of their kind.