Sting’s The Last Ship Lands in Brisbane with Shaggy
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- Sting (74, 17 Grammys) stars as foreman Jackie White in the Brisbane run of his musical The Last Ship, confronting shipyard closure and his own health.
- Shaggy appears as the Wallsend Ferryman, bringing warmth and stepping outside his reggae roots.
- Queensland Performing Arts Centre (Qpac) adds Brisbane to The Last Ship’s international run, joining Paris, Amsterdam and New York, aiming to position the city as a global arts destination.
- 59 Studio designed the industrial set with towering metal scaffolding and a ship’s bow, blending digital projections with physical scenery.
- The production runs for almost three hours, starts slowly, picks up steam in the second act, but ends rushed with many threads tied up quickly.
- The ensemble is praised for powerful choral moments and strong performances by cast members such as Meg Dawson and union leader Billy Thompson, underscoring collective strength.
- Sting told AP the musical is a way to thank his community and make amends, reflecting his shift from wanting to escape his shipyard roots to honoring them.
Why it matters: Queensland Performing Arts Centre gains a high‑profile international production, drawing 1,500‑seat audiences and bolstering Brisbane’s bid to become a global arts hub, while the revived The Last Ship reaches new Australian fans. The show also showcases local talent and creates jobs for designers, actors, and crew, reinforcing the city’s cultural economy.
