Call the Police

Another rock 'n' roller is swopping his leather trousers for a Les Miz souvenir t-shirt. Joining the queue behind the likes of Paul Simon, Elton John and Dave Stewart, The Stinger himself is having a crack at an original musical.

"Known for his explorations into jazz and classical, Sting incorporates traditional Northumbrian pipes, shanties and reels into a score influenced by Gershwin and Sondheim."

Personally I would love to hear Sondheim done on the bagpipes.

"Sting said he wanted the songs 'to reflect the traditional music of the north-east of England where I grew up, as well as tipping my hat to the great music of the theatrical tradition – Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Brecht and Weill'” 

Interesting that, for him, the theatrical tradition lies somewhere between Broadway and Berlin. Nothing closer to home?

Well, nivvor mind and canny good luck. Musical theatre probably needs him more than he needs it. So let's hope for a good 'un. It is interesting, 'though. I've said it before and I'll say it again: rock 'n' roll has its limits and musicals are the natural home for the mature songwriter.