Sting’s gig surprise
STING is to perform in The Last Ship when it has a one-off performance in Newcastle on Bank Holiday Monday, it has been confirmed.
News that the superstar himself will take to the stage during the outdoor event is set to delight fans. And it promises a special treat for audience members who rushed to snap up tickets to the show, having missed out on its inaugural run at Northern Stage this spring.
To meet the anticipated demand, there were 15,000 tickets released – and 100 are still up for grabs.
Sting’s musical – a shipyard tale inspired by his memories of growing up in Wallsend – enjoyed critical acclaim during its city debut before setting off on a national tour.
In the wake of its success came the announcement that The Last Ship will return to Newcastle for a special outdoor performance at Spiller’s Wharf on May 28.
It was confirmed to The Chronicle yesterday that its creator Sting definitely will be in the region to join the cast at the performance. And besides performing previously unreleased music from the production, he will be playing a selection of hits from his glittering music career too.
The quayside location will prove a fitting one for the musical as it will have as a backdrop the banks of the river which shaped Sting’s music and lyrics.
The story of The Last Ship tells of a sailor’s return home from sea at a time the local shipyard is under threat of closure.
Amid rising tensions in the community, there develops a love story too – all captured by soaring music in a score which also features Sting’s popular songs Island of Souls, All This Time and When We Dance.
The current tour of the musical, starring Richard Fleeshman, Frances McNamee and Joe McGann alongside local favourites such as Charlie Hardwick and Joe Caffrey, is continuing until July, when it will finish at The Lowry in Salford. For tickets to the Spiller’s Wharf event, visit https://bit.ly/2J4a1YT