For those who could see the many good qualities of Sting's 'The Last Ship', you may be interested to hear the new UK tour, with a revised book, is getting very good reviews. It's playing some big venues!
While, yes theatre is universal, I do agree with the reviewer of the article above that it is a very "British" show. However, I've wondered if the setting was written to a West Virginia coal mining town, or a Pennsylvania steel town if the show would have been better accepted on this side of the pond.
"The 54th Street[theatre] had a rep as. . .where old musicals went to die." -Smaxie
Interestingly the tour is staying in the north of the country where ship-making was strongest and isn't currently scheduled for the south where the story may not resonate.
I don't think the location matters much? But maybe to the people who don't regularly go, it does? I loved the show and found it beautiful, and still listen to the music. I just think it needed a few more "upbeat" numbers because the show is a giant downer. But I'd love to see a reworked version tour here in the states as I think the score is pretty gorgeous.
They are laborers losing their jobs. Not sure it needs to be translated beyond that for people to get it. I mean, by this logic, why do people understand the story of factory workers making fabulous boots for drag queens?
"However, I've wondered if the setting was written to a West Virginia coal mining town, or a Pennsylvania steel town if the show would have been better accepted on this side of the pond."
The Last Mill, in which the employees decide to make a bunch of steel sheets and float down the river, but sink?
The Last Mine - the Appalachian townsfolk build a balloon out of coal, then realize it won't fly?
joined:7/26/04
joined:
7/26/04
Posted: 3/22/18 at 2:04pm