Music icon Sting has opened up about his past in Ireland.
Sting was in Dublin this week to talk about The Last Ship, a musical he penned set in his hometown of Wallsend, Newcastle that’s currently showing at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre.
“I lived in Connemara in the early 80s so I have some connection,” the former frontman of The Police told VIP Magazine. “I was brought up in largely an Irish community in Newcastle. A huge Irish diaspora ended up there because it was a boom town so the music reflects that – it’s a combination of Celtic music and Northumbrian kind of music and also show tunes.
“I wanted to tell a story that hadn’t been told,” he said. “You’re seeing my hometown on stage with fantastic actors, singers and dancers and it’s something I’m extremely proud of.”
The singer also spoke of the importance of bringing the show to Ireland. “I mean, this is a huge theatre community. You have theatre in your bones so it’s important to succeed here. It’s different enough to where I come from and similar enough to make comparisons.”
And will Sting be catching up with any of his famous friends in Ireland?
“I have a lot of friends. They’ll both be here tonight.”
The Last Ship is showing at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre every night until Saturday 9 June. Click here for tickets.
