Posted: 1/21/20 at 5:49am
devonian.t said: "It is also returning to London this year."
Cannot find that on the official website. Can you share a source?
Posted: 2/12/20 at 3:18am
I've been pretty meh about seeing this show even if I get rush tickets. I didn't see the original, so I won't have negative comparisons to make, but is it worth seeing if you're not a big Sting fan?
Posted: 2/12/20 at 4:23am
Jeroen100 said: "devonian.t said: "It is also returning to London this year."
Cannot find that on the official website. Can you share a source?
"
It'll be announced soon.
Posted: 2/24/20 at 2:25am
I saw it in SF and was really bowled-over. I had been feeling pretty meh about seeing, even after giving the OBCR a couple of listens. But then I saw it today. Here's what I wrote on Facebook when I got home.
The Haunted Last Ship
Today, I spent 150 minutes in the world of the show. The production is excellent with perhaps the best use of projections I’ve seen. The story of a historic Newcastle area shipyard being shut down by a conservative government and labor strikes make it a cousin of Billy Elliott - but where Billy was a dancing boy story set amongst a labour battle, this is the story of a labour battle hung around a returning sailor story. It’s also similar in ways to SHN’s last season’s “A Bronx Tale” in that both are personal musicals created by celebrities based upon childhood events. While the result in ABT was an uncomfortable musical laden with extraneous themes and a very “Broadway” score by Alan Menken, In this case, it’s a very atmospheric tale set in Sting’s world. It was retooled after Broadway, including an expanded role of the shipyard foreman, Jackie White, played by Sting. He is very present in the tale. His lyrics are beautiful and evocative, painting sometimes achingly beautiful pictures which are echoed in the gorgeous projections and stage pictures created by the director.
The story itself still has its issues, but the world of the show, it works perfectly. (It’s also bookended by an onstage character introducing the tale and that it happened, but perhaps not actually, but it happened, It happens, it will happen) The builders build a ship of dreams that, “with the roar of the chains and the cracking of timbers. The noise at the end of the world in your ears …a mountain of steel makes its way to the sea.”
Part of the authenticity of the feel is the accents and slang. The program even includes a Geordie translation key. The cast is English and in many ways, Toronto and these five cities in the US are a continuation of the English tour, which fittingly opened in Newcastle. (And you know that a British audience is keenly aware of the regional and class accents.) So the accents are heavy and use the slang of the Tyneside setting. The cast is excellent - especially the female members. Sting does a great job in the supporting role. Although his voice isn’t what it used to be, singing his own lyrics as a man of his age, the result is wonderful. Certainly, if you’re a Sting fan, you really should see the show. (Notably, his left arm is stabilized in a black sling, unrelated to the character or show, but he still does great one-armed)
If you’re not prepared for a sometimes depressing story with lots of grey atmospherics and actors who sometimes speak phrases that require close attention, this would likely be a pass. However, I’m really glad that this one was in our subscription package. Otherwise, I'd likely miss this really special show. I’m glad I spent the afternoon haunted by the shadows of The Last Ship.
Updated On: 2/24/20 at 02:25 AM
Posted: 2/24/20 at 2:35am
MarkBearSF said: "I saw it in SF and was really bowled-over. I was feeling pretty meh about it, even after giving the OBCR a couple of listens. But then I saw it today. Here's what I wrote on Facebook when I got home.
The Haunted Last Ship
Today, I spent 150 minutes in the world of the show. The production is excellent with perhaps the best use of projections I’ve seen. The story of a historic Newcastle area shipyard being shut down by a conservative government and labor strikes make it a cousin of Billy Elliott - but where Billy was a dancing boy story set amongst a labour battle, this is the story of a labour battle hung around a returning sailor story. It’s also similar in ways to SHN’s last season’s “A Bronx Tale” in that both are personal musicals created by celebrities based upon childhood events. While the result in ABT was an uncomfortable musical laden with extraneous themes and a very “Broadway” score by Alan Menken, In this case, it’s a very atmospheric tale set in Sting’s world. It was retooled after Broadway, including an expanded role of the shipyard foreman, Jackie White, played by Sting. He is very present in the tale. His lyrics are beautiful and evocative, painting sometimes achingly beautiful pictures which are echoed in the gorgeous projections and stage pictures created by the director.
The story itself still has its issues, but the world of the show, it works perfectly. (It’s also bookended by an onstage character introducing the tale and that it happened, but perhaps not actually, but it happened, It happens, it will happen) The builders build a ship of dreams that, “with the roar of the chains and the cracking of timbers. The noise at the end of the world in your ears …a mountain of steel makes its way to the sea.”
Part of the authenticity of the feel is the accents and slang. The program even includes a Geordie translation key. The cast is English and in many ways, Toronto and these five cities in the US are a continuation of the English tour, which fittingly opened in Newcastle. (And you know that a British audience is keenly aware of the regional and class accents.) So the accents are heavy and use the slang of the Tyneside setting. The cast is excellent - especially the female members. Sting does a great job in the supporting role. Although his voice isn’t what it used to be, singing his own lyrics as a man of his age, the result is wonderful. Certainly, if you’re a Sting fan, you really should see the show. (Notably, his left arm is stabilized in a black sling, unrelated to the character or show, but he still does great one-armed)
If you’re not prepared for a sometimes depressing story with lots of grey atmospherics and actors who sometimes speak phrases that require close attention, this would likely be a pass. However, I’m really glad that this one was in our subscription package. Otherwise, I'dlikely miss this really special show. I’m glad I spent the afternoon haunted by the shadows of The Last Ship."
I saw Sting when he toured with Peter Gabriel 3 or 4 years ago. Unless his voice has deteriorated noticeably since then, I would take issue with his voice not being what it used to be. He sounded amazing. Anyway, thanks for the review. Will definitely need to catch this before it leaves town.
Posted: 2/24/20 at 2:43am
When I say that his voice isn't what it used to be, I'm mostly thinking of his upper register. Those high notes of the Police years would be hard for any singer of his age to pull off.
I agree that he sounded wonderful. But he sounded like a man of his age, who had been in the world a bit. And for the score of the show, he was excellent.
I DO recommend that you catch it if you can. It looks like sales are a bit slow, so the usual discounts (box office rush, TodayTix app, Goldstar) should be available.
Updated On: 2/24/20 at 02:43 AM
Posted: 2/25/20 at 12:59am
Attending with my group of 15 on March 20. Am interested in the piece more from a production values aspect, but am hopeful re the score and story.
Posted: 2/26/20 at 2:07am
Posted: 2/26/20 at 3:20am
Sting offers sneak peek at his ''Last Ship'' on tour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfntFExTac
Updated On: 2/26/20 at 03:20 AM
