Jack Holden play Cruise to run in the West End from May
Jack Holden’s one man play Cruise is to run in London’s West End this May.
The piece will hold its world premiere at the Duchess Theatre from 18 May to 13 June 2021 with tickets on sale now.
Written and performed by Jack Holden (War Horse, West End; Ink, Almeida Theatre), Cruise is an urgent, moving and inspirational new play with live music and spoken word.
The play is based on a true story Jack was told whilst volunteering for Switchboard, the LGBTQ+ Listening Service and pays tribute to a generation decimated by HIV and AIDs. Bringing to life 1980’s Soho, this kaleidoscopic musical is a celebration of queer culture with an uplifting 80s electronic soundtrack performed live by John Elliott.
Directed by Bronagh Lagan, the previously announced filmed version will still be available to watch from 15 April – 25 April at Stream.Theatre before it arrives at the Duchess Theatre in the West End this May.
Produced by Aria Entertainment and Lambert Jackson, the full creative team includes Jack Holden (writer and performer), John Elliott (Music and Sound Design), Bronagh Lagan (Director), Nik Corrall (Design), STUFISH (Co-Design), Jai Morjaria (Lighting Designer) Sarah Golding (Movement) and Max Pappenheim (Additional Sound Design).
Nica Burns of NIMAX Theatres said: “Hard as it is to find anything to celebrate in the theatre in this incredibly difficult pandemic year, being able to invite a talented new team of theatre makers to reopen the Duchess theatre is a delight.
“A warm welcome to producers Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment, Jamie Lambert and Eliza Jackson of Lambert Jackson and their playwright Jack Holden, all making West End debuts. For four weeks only, prior to the reopening of the popular comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, so book now!”
Marking Aria Entertainment’s first production in the West End Katy Lipson said: “It is an absolute honour to have the opportunity to present this play, not only on a West End stage, but as we are coming out of what has been one of the most difficult and challenging years for all.
“It is a brave and innovative show which brings us into a world and part of history which we may not be so familiar with. A story which we should hear about; one of survival, loss, re-building a life and looking forward to the future. All on top of the most uplifting and brilliant soundtrack. After receiving the script during lockdown, I couldn’t have imagined that we’d be presenting it as our first West End play the following year. I am so looking forward to sharing it with a live audience.”
Lambert Jackson said: “For our first West End run, we are so excited to be bringing this innovative, new and important piece of theatre to reopen the Duchess Theatre. From the moment we read the script, we knew we had to be involved.
“This has been a very uncertain time for theatre in the UK, and it feels right to be producing a brilliant new play by a British writer to bring important, queer British stories to audiences at this time.”
Cruise at the Duchess Theatre, 18 May – 13 June 2021 – get tickets and more information from cruisetheplay.co.uk
