Declan Bennett, Lauren Samuels and Annette McLaughlin join Sting in his acclaimed musical
The crew is assembled. International music icon Sting will once again take the helm of his acclaimed musical The Last Ship, which sets sail on a major international tour in 2026. Full casting has now been revealed for the production, which will visit Amsterdam, Paris and Brisbane next year.
Sting reprises his leading role as shipyard foreman Jackie White, joined by Declan Bennett (Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812, Jesus Christ Superstar) as Gideon, Lauren Samuels (Grease, Wicked, US Tour) as Meg, and Annette McLaughlin (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812) as Peggy White.
They lead a company featuring Marc Akinfolarin, Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong, Matt Beveridge, Joe Caffrey, Mathew Craig, Matthew Gent, Llandyll Gove, Lou Henry, Helen Hill, Lemuel Knights, Grant Neal, Hannah Richardson, Gabriella Stylianou, Emma Thornett, and Kevin Yates.
Creative team
Directed by Leo Warner, The Last Ship features a new book by Barney Norris, from a book by Lorne Campbell, based on the original by John Logan and Brian Yorkey. The show includes music and lyrics by Sting, set and props design by Jenny Melville, costume design by Loren Elstein, lighting by Adam Bassett, sound by Tom Gibbons, and choreography by Rebecca Howell.
The creative team also includes video design by Benjamin Pearcy, animation direction by Matt Taylor, musical supervision and orchestrations by Rob Mathes, and casting by Jill Green Casting.
Tour dates
- Amsterdam – Koninklijk Theater Carré, 14 January – 1 February 2026
- Paris – La Seine Musicale, 18 February – 7 March 2026
- Brisbane – Glasshouse Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, 9 April – 3 May 2026
About the show
Inspired by Sting’s own childhood in the shipbuilding town of Wallsend, The Last Ship charts the lives of a proud community facing the closure of its shipyard — the beating heart of their existence. It’s a story about identity, resilience and belonging, underscored by Sting’s rich, folk-infused score.
“I literally grew up in the shadow of the yard,” Sting has said. “I dreamed of escaping – and I succeeded. But later I realised I had to give something back. The Last Ship is my tribute to the people and the place that shaped me.”
Featuring songs including “Island of Souls,” “All This Time,” and “When We Dance,” the musical blends powerful ballads and rousing ensemble numbers to tell a story of love, loss and hope that continues to resonate worldwide.
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