We know him as a member of the band The Police, a solo singer with global hits — "Englishman in New York", "Shape Of My Heart", to name just a few — but there was one string in Sting's artistic bow that remained a mystery to us: his acting skills. After attending one of his musical performances, The Last Ship, showcased at La Seine Musicale until March 8, 2026, we are now convinced: there isn’t a domain in which this artist does not excel. At 74 years old, he delivers a show of rare intensity, straddling a striking social fresco and a deeply moving personal narrative. 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
While The Last Ship originally started as a Sting album released in 2013, it was adapted into a musical in 2014. First showcased in Chicago, it later made its way to Broadway, followed by England and Canada between 2016 and 2019. It's only this year, in 2026, that the show drops anchor in Paris, as well as in 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 workers of a shipyard in Newcastle, the environment where Sting grew up. The show is performed in its original version — with subtitles in French — which adds even more to its charm.
his deep authenticity.
©Mark Senior
2) A show that brings the excellence of Broadway and the West End to Paris
Born in the United States, the show is undeniably infused with American excellence typical of musical theater. Without overdoing modern technology, The Last Ship cleverly weaves together digital elements and impressive real sets, which enhance the story and recreate the atmosphere at the heart of the shipyard.
Sets that elevate exceptional voices with astonishing power — that of Sting, of course, but also those of the actors playing Gideon Fletcher, Meg, and her daughter. The songs are numerous and flow seamlessly without becoming tiresome, as they contribute to the...'progressing the story, to the transmission of love as well as anger. The choreographies are quite scarce. A surprising choice but perfectly coherent: neither the story nor the staging would lend themselves to grand dance numbers. Here, it’s not about shining. The stage is a battleground and that’s precisely what gives this performance its strength.
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©Mark Senior
3) A Deeply Political Story Set Against a Romance
At the heart of the story, Jackie White (played by Sting), a foreman, and his colleagues are faced with the closure of their shipyard, under the government of Margaret Thatcher, the British Prime Minister of the time. Proving that unity is strength, they decide to resist by coming together, both men and women, to finish the boat they’ve poured their hearts and souls into.
Strong messages, a unique lesson in history, combined with love stories — like Meg and Gideon, or Peggy and Jackie — which temper the intensity of social struggle and bring a touch of lightness to the show. When the lights come back on, it takes a few moments to return to reality.equality, not without the three melodious notes and the lyrics “And the last ship sails” spinning in our heads. More than a musical, The Last Ship is an ode to History, to memory, and to the collective. And a tangible proof that Sting still has surprises in store for us.
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The Last Ship
La Seine Musicale
Île Seguin — 92100, Boulogne-Billancourt
Until March 8, 2026
More info