in his musical, The Last Ship, at Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) newest venue, Glasshouse Theatre from 9 April to 3 May 2026.
The global icon will play a leading role in a renewed version of The Last Ship, the acclaimed musical first developed by Sting in 2011 and initially inspired by his 1991 album The Soul Cages.
Rooted in his own childhood in the British shipbuilding town of Wallsend, The Last Ship tells the moving story of a community of shipbuilders in the northeast of England, faced with the closure of their shipyard – the heart of their existence.
Sting takes on the role of Jackie White, the shipyard’s foreman whose health is failing just as his leadership is needed most. In this very personal show, the artist immerses the audience in a hometown he was desperate to escape, a world where love, loss, and hope intertwine.
"I grew up in the shadow of the shipyard,” says Sting. "My father wanted me to follow him into the shipyard, but I dreamed of something else… I dreamed of escaping, and I did everything in my power to get away from that life. But the farther I got, the more I realised I needed to understand where I came from and felt I had to give something back. The Last Ship is my tribute to the people and the place that shaped me.”
Taking a break from his STING 3.0 world concert touring schedule, Sting has dedicated a few months in 2026 to taking The Last Ship production to cities across the globe, including Amsterdam, Paris, and now Brisbane, performing in every show.
Sting’s beloved songs such as ‘Island of Souls’, ‘All This Time’, and ‘When We Dance’ are woven into the performance in a full stage production featuring a company of 28 artists, musicians and choristers.
The original stage production premiered in Chicago in 2014, followed by a Broadway (Neil Simon Theatre) run the same year, then continued in the UK, Ireland and various European and US cities.
This renewed version of the production includes new scenes and music, specially adapted for the 2026 run. Sting’s music – from gritty folk and rousing choruses to intimate ballads – forms the heart of the show.
QPAC Chief Executive Rachel Healy said it was a huge coup for Brisbane to secure one of the few international seasons of the renewed production.
“You might have experienced Sting’s amazing stadium performances in the past but witnessing a performer of this calibre sharing a fascinating and deeply personal story in the gorgeous intimacy of Queensland’s brand-new Glasshouse Theatre is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This will be Sting like you’ve never seen him before,” she said.
“Interestingly, Brisbane has its own shipbuilding history; the Evans Deakin shipyard was Australia’s third largest shipbuilding enterprise just down the river from the Glasshouse Theatre. 2026 marks fifty years since its closure in 1976 so it’s very special to link this local history with the personal experiences retold in The Last Ship.”
“The fact that we’ve secured this season exclusively for Brisbane in Australia, as the first international production in our new theatre speaks to Brisbane’s reputation as a cultural tourism destination and we’re very grateful to the Queensland Government for its support.”
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said Queensland’s new world-class theatre deserved performances worthy of a worldwide megastar.
“We promised the new Glasshouse Theatre would attract acclaimed artists, and it doesn’t get much bigger than multi-Grammy Award winning legend, Sting,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Today’s announcement marks an exciting new chapter for QPAC.
“The Glasshouse Theatre will showcase extraordinary talent and elevate live performance experiences for Queenslanders and visitors, while contributing significantly to the economy.”
Sting has sold nearly 100 million albums and received 17 Grammy Awards, more than 30 Broadcast Music Inc (BMI) Awards, four Brit Awards, numerous Golden Globe, Academy Award and Emmy nominations and accolades.
The original Broadway production of The Last Ship was nominated for two Tony Awards: Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations.
The Last Ship forms part of the Glasshouse’s opening program and will have 29 performances from 9 April to 3 May 2026.
The event is supported by the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland and tickets will go on sale to the public from 18 September 2025.
