We've known him as a member of the group The Police, a solo singer with global hits like "Englishman in New York" and "Shape Of My Heart", to name just a couple of obvious ones. But there was one string to Sting's artistic bow that remained a mystery to us: his talents as an actor. After attending one of the performances of his musical The Last Ship, playing at La Seine Musicale until March 8, 2026, we are now convinced: there isn't a field in which this artist doesn't excel. At 74 years old, he delivers a show of extraordinary intensity, blending a striking social fresco with a moving personal story. Here are 3 reasons to go see The Last Ship.
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1) A show that has been sailing around the world for over ten years
Originally, The Last Ship is an album by Sting, released in 2013, and it was adapted into a musical in 2014. It first premiered in Chicago, then set sail for Broadway, followed by England and Canada between 2016 and 2019. This year, in 2026, the show drops anchor in Paris, along with Amsterdam, Brisbane, and New York — like a fresh start, twelve years after its debut.
Just like the studio album, the musical pays tribute to the shipyard workers of Newcastle, the environment where Sting grew up. The show is performed in its original version — with French supertitles — which adds to its charm.
its deep authenticity.
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©Mark Senior
2) A Show that Brings the Excellence of Broadway and the West End to Paris
Born in the United States, this show is undeniably filled with American excellence that is characteristic of musical theater. Without overdoing the new technologies, The Last Ship cleverly weaves together digital elements and impressive real sets, which serve the story and recreate the atmosphere at the heart of the shipyard.
Sets that enhance exceptional voices of remarkable power — that of Sting, of course, but also those of the actors portraying Gideon Fletcher, Meg, and her daughter. The songs are plentiful and flow seamlessly, keeping you engaged as they contribute to the story.
progress of the story, in the transmission of love as well as anger. The choreographies are, for their part, quite minimal. A surprising choice but perfectly coherent: neither the story nor the staging would lend themselves to grand danced tableaux. Here, the goal isn’t to shine. The stage is a battleground and that’s exactly what makes this show so powerful.
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©Mark Senior
3) A Deeply Political Story with a Romantic Background
At the heart of the story, Jackie White (played by Sting), the foreman, and his colleagues are facing the closure of their shipyard, under the government of Margaret Thatcher, the British Prime Minister at the time. As proof that unity is strength, they decide to resist, coming together, men and women alike, to finish this ship in which they've poured their heart and soul.
Powerful messages, a unique lesson in history, intertwined with love stories — like Meg and Gideon, or between Peggy and Jackie — that soften the intensity of the social struggle and add a touch of lightness to the show. When the lights come back on, it takes a few minutes to return to the r& ```equality, not without the three melodious notes and the lyrics “And the last ship sails” playing in our heads. More than a musical, The Last Ship is a tribute to History, to memory, and to the collective. And a tangible proof that Sting still has more surprises up his sleeve.
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The Last Ship
La Seine Musicale
Île Seguin — 92100, Boulogne-Billancourt
Until March 8, 2026
More info