London - Musician Sting has raised concerns about the social consequences of the decline in manual labor, suggesting that it may be contributing to a sense of societal discontent. His remarks coincide with the upcoming West End return of his musical, The Last Ship, which explores the impact of deindustrialization on communities and individuals.

The Last Ship, set to run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in September, depicts the lives of shipyard workers in Wallsend, a community similar to Sting’s own upbringing. The musical focuses on the challenges faced by these workers following shipyard closures during the 1970s and 80s, a period of significant economic transition in northern England. Sting, who wrote the music and will star in the production, acknowledges the historical significance of industries like coal mining, steel production, and shipbuilding in contributing to Britain's prosperity and the strong work ethic that came along with it.

Sting recognizes the difficulties and potential dangers associated with manual labor, including exposure to hazardous materials. However, he also emphasizes the sense of community, civic pride, and personal accomplishment that these industries fostered. He notes that workers took pride in their ability to contribute to tangible projects, such as building ships, and derived satisfaction from their labor.

“I work with my hands every day as a musician, and I’m lucky. It’s a rare thing for modern men to actually use their hands and use their strengths to do anything. We’ve lost something there,” Sting said.

He added, “I don’t have any answers, but maybe the toxicity in society at the moment is [a result of the fact] that we’ve lost that direction for our energy, that male strength. It’s rare we have to use it.”

The musical explores the impact of job losses and economic uncertainty on male characters, who grapple with questions of identity and purpose. One character asks, “For what are we men without a ship to complete?” highlighting the sense of loss and displacement experienced by many in the wake of deindustrialization.

The Last Ship premiered in Chicago in 2014 before moving to Broadway. Although it received mixed reviews on Broadway and did not achieve the same level of success as other British musicals rooted in regional stories, it has since toured internationally and undergone revisions, including the addition of a new book by Barney Norris. Sting's work serves as a reminder to maintain traditional values that promote hard work and community pride.