Reggae icon Shaggy will co-star with Sting in the upcoming adaptation of The Last Ship, coming to Theatre Royal Drury Lane later this year. He will perform the role of Wallsend Ferryman for two nights only, 22 September and 23 September 2026.
Global reggae icon Shaggy will appear alongside Sting in The Last Ship, the reimagined 2026 adaptation of Sting’s musical. He will star as Wallsend Ferryman for two nights only, a role he also played in New York, Amsterdam and at various points across the production’s tour.
Of the casting news, Sting says, “I immediately knew Shaggy was the perfect man for this role. He has a great sense of mischief, a great sense of joy, and he’s also a natural actor.
We’ve taken the Ferryman all over the world together this year, and I’m thrilled he’s crossing over to Drury Lane with me too, even if only for two performances.”
The full cast will be announced at a later date.
The Last Ship sails into London
This revised production of The Last Ship, featuring a new book by Barney Norris, arrives in London following a global tour, including stops in Amsterdam, Paris, and Brisbane, and New York.
The musical, rooted in Sting’s own childhood in the British shipbuilding town of Wallsend, tells the moving story of a community of shipbuilders in the North East of England, faced with the closure of their shipyard – the heart of their existence.
Shaggy appeared as Wallsend Ferryman the limited nine-show run at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, as well as appearances in Australia. Due to prior commitments, he will only perform the role in London for two nights: 22–23 September.
Music icon Sting is currently scheduled to star as Jackie White, the shipyard’s foreman, for the duration of the London run.
Plan your visit to The Last Ship
- Theatre: Theatre Royal Drury Lane
- Booking dates: 22 September 2026 – 3 October 2026
- Performance schedule: Monday to Saturday evenings, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday matinees
- Running time: 2 hours and 50 minutes
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