THE LAST SHIP
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Mon 14-Sat 19 May
In Wallsend, in the north-east of England, the Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson shipyard loomed large. Sting – musician, singer, songwriter, activist and the town’s native son – saw mighty vessels being raised while he was growing up. That was partly the inspiration for his musical The Last Ship, sailing into Cardiff this month.
It tells the story of Gideon Fletcher, a young man feeling confined by his town and childhood sweetheart. Not wanting a job in the shipyard, he becomes a sailor and travels the world. He returns years later wanting a reconciliation with his former flame amidst family and town tensions as it’s announced the shipyard is closing. The Tony-nominated musical has ballads, anthems, folk music and Broadway-worthy showtunes. It isn’t literally autobiographical, though it recalls aspects of Sting’s own life.
The production is the ex-Police man’s first stab at penning a musical. After first docking in Chicago and New York in 2014, it debuted anew in Newcastle where it had a sell-out four-week run and was met with generally positive reviews (and some dissenting voices). Wallsend shares Cardiff’s coal industry and maritime background, so The Last Ship should resonate along with its story of romance, community, hopes, and dreams of striving for a better life.
Tickets: £18-£45. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk (RLR)