Theatre Review - THE LAST SHIP - NORTHERN STAGE

Full cast of The Last Ship (c) Pamela Raith

The Last Ship has finally reached its home port after a stormy start from its voyage in America. This brand new Northern Stage Production directed by Lorne Campbell, who has extensively reworked the book, looks to have ensured a smooth sailing lies ahead.

Marvin Ford Michael Blair Matt Corner Joe Caffrey Richard Fleeshman (c) Pamela Raith

Anyone living in the North East is familiar with the personal hardship faced by families involved in shipbuilding and their constant, passionate struggles of work, life and politics. It was this which inspired the 1991 album ‘The Soul Cages’. Over the years this has transformed from the personal accounts of Sting’s childhood to what we have today as ‘The Last Ship’.

Parisa Shahmir Orla Gormley Frances McNamee Annie Grace (c) Pamela Raith

The story begins in the early 70’s where the young Gideon Fletcher, Matt Corner, leaves his true love, young Meg Dawson, Parisa Sharmir, and Wallsend behind looking for a life away from the shipyards.

Matt Corner as young Gideon and Parisa Shahmir as young Meg (c) Pamela Raith

Seventeen years later Gideon, Richard Fleeshman, returns to find the shipyard facing its last few days and a daughter he never knew he had. Richard Fleeshman has mastered the sound of Sting through his singing voice which echoes well Sting’s similar journey. Meg, Frances McNamee, has the most amazing voice delivering a powerful performance to match. Ellen, Katie Moore, their daughter has such a presence on stage as she follows Sting’s journey leaving for a future in music.

The Last Ship Joe McGann as Jackie White (c) Pamela Raith

The Last Ship Frances McNamee
 as Meg Dawson (c) Pamela Raith

One of the central shipyard workers is Jackie White, Joe McGann, and his wife Peggy, Charlie Hardwick. Joe McGann looks so natural in the role. It may be cliché to say that it looked as if Charlie Hardwick was loving every minute, but she certainly was and what a talent. She is certainly making the most of this role. When the news is given to the men of the impending closure of the yard it is from Baroness Tynedale, Penelope Woodman, that they learn their fate as she produces a perfect caricature of Thatcher, reminding the audience of politics of the 80’s.

The rest of the shipyard workers include Davey Harrison, Kevin Wathen, as the wayward drunk. Billy Thompson, superbly played by Joe Caffrey and word loving Adrian Sanderson, Charlie Richmond.

The projection has to be the best I have ever seen creating seamless changes between scenes, meaning the action becomes incredibly slick. The production takes projection to a whole new level. From the direction, staging, lighting, sound, music and acting this is one of the most complete productions I have ever seen. I can’t wait to see it again later in the run.

Richard Fleeshman as Gideon Fletcher (c) Pamela Raith

2018 TOUR DATES

Monday 12 March – Saturday 7 April
NORTHERN STAGE
northernstage.co.uk
0191 230 5151

Monday 9 – Saturday 14 April
LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE
everymanplayhouse.com
0151 709 4776

Monday 16 – Saturday 21 April
THE NEW ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM
atgtickets.com/Birmingham
0844 871 7647

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 April
ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON
royalandderngate.co.uk
01604 624 811

Monday 30 April – Saturday 5 May
LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

The Last Ship projections by 59 Productions (c) Pamela Raith

leedsgrandtheatre.com
0844 848 2700

Monday 7 – Saturday 12 May
NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE
nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
0115 941 9419

Monday 14 – Saturday 19 May
WALES MILLENIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF
wmc.org.uk
029 2063 6464

Monday 4 – Saturday 9 June
BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN

Projections by 59 Productions (c) Pamela Raith

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
+353 1 677 7999

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 June

FESTIVAL THEATRE, EDINBURGH

edtheatres.com
0131 529 6000

Monday 18 – Saturday 23 June
THEATRE ROYAL GLASGOW
atgtickets.com/Glasgow
0844 871 7647

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 June
YORK THEATRE ROYAL
yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
01904 623 568

Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 July
THE LOWRY, SALFORD
thelowry.com
0843 208 6000