The Last Ship Review Roundup
The Last Ship has sailed into London!
Sting's hits, a huge cast and a story rooted in the heart of a North East shipbuilding community - dare we want more? Inspired by Sting's own childhood in Wallsend, The Last Ship follows a community facing the devastating closure of the shipyard that has shaped generations of their lives.
With Sting himself taking on the role of Jackie White, alongside a company of more than 50, this large-scale production brings plenty of star power to Theatre Royal Drury Lane. And for two very special performances, global reggae icon Shaggy joins the cast as the Wallsend Ferryman.
But what did the critics make of this new production? Let's see what they had to say...
The Last Ship Critic Reviews
"It's an awesome, ghostly presence that comes suddenly to life in the closing moments, which are a defiant hymn to the power of community. Like the dockyards it celebrates, The Last Ship may not be the most efficient of operations, but there's no doubting the heart behind it." - London Theatre
"The Last Ship is an awesome spectacle and a heartfelt one too. It is a personal project, which gives it integrity. Cutting-edge projectionists 59 Productions are an inspired choice. Shaggy was fun." - TimeOut
"Overall, despite its narrative flaws, I would still recommend checking this show out before its strictly limited run concludes. Just don't walk through the doors expecting a deeply emotional or weighty storyline. Go for the powerhouse performances, and absolutely go for the stunning, world-class visuals. It is a voyage worth taking, and it manages to stay afloat even if the waters get a little choppy along the way." - Pink Prince Theatre
"As for Shaggy, Mr Boomtastic' lets a little of that personality through but also shows an affinity with the material you might not expect. Much of this role is silent and on the sidelines, but adds poignancy and potency. Politically, The Last Ship is clear that comradeship is good and capitalism is bad. It finishes on a sweeping, almost celebratory note despite each person knowing the world as they recognised it was over. At nearly three hours, it is perhaps a little long, but it is full of heart and conviction." - Lou Reviews
"The piece obviously draws on Sting's experience growing up in Wallsend, home of the world renowned Swan Hunter shipyard. There is no denying the power of a story told with an equal mixture of grit and elegance. A brilliant set - designed by Jenny Melville and Matt Taylor - is simply breathtaking, as it magically conjures a ship which cleverly disappears when the scene requires it. The songs, all written by Sting, are lyrically sound and melodically poised. They have a distinct Irish-folk cadence which sit well with the subject matter. They also threw in a handful of Sting hits, of which All This Time' and When We Dance' are especially well received. The cast are superlative in their approach and application. Sting revelled in the role of elder statesman and rightly earned a separate round of applause when he first appeared. Mr Bombastic himself, Shaggy, also made a strong contribution in the role of Wallsend Ferryman." - West End Best Friend
