Jack Holden’s Cruise to return to West End at Apollo Theatre this summer

Jack Holden’s Olivier nominated play Cruise is to return to the West End this summer.

Written and performed by Jack Holden (Ten Per Cent, Amazon Prime Video; War Horse, National Theatre), Cruise will play a strictly limited run at the Apollo Theatre from 13 August to 4 September 2022.

The production is directed by Bronagh Lagan (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, UK Tour; Little Women, Park Theatre) and features original music composed and performed live by John Patrick Elliott (The Little Unsaid).

Jack Holden and John Patrick Elliott said: “We’re ecstatic that Cruise is coming to the Apollo Theatre for a limited run this Summer. Our first run reopened the West End with a bang. Audiences had been cooped up indoors for a long time, and we all needed a reason to come together, to laugh, to cry and to have a little dance – CRUISE was just that.

“This incarnation of Cruise will be bigger, brighter, louder and prouder. We can’t wait to get back on stage, make one hell of a noise, and take our audiences back to 1980s Soho.”

Cruise is the true story of what should have been Michael Spencer’s last night on Earth. When Michael is diagnosed with HIV in 1984, he’s told he’ll have four years to live – at most. So, with the clock ticking, he and his partner, Dave, decide to sell their house, flog the car, spend everything they have and party like it’s the last days of Rome. When Dave dies two years later, Michael doubles down on his hedonistic ways, spending what little he has left and drowning himself in drink and drugs.

On the last night of his four-year countdown – the 29th February, 1988 – Michael decides to go out with a bang. He puts on his favourite jacket, heads for Soho, and embarks on a long night of farewells. He says his goodbyes to friends, enemies and strangers; old haunts, dive bars, cafes, clubs and pubs; his brothers, sisters, allies and exes. He dances, sings, and says yes to everything and everyone. Then, with all his affairs taken care of, Michael promptly… survives. Michael got lucky, and he goes on to live to a ripe old age. Michael has been given the gift of life; but what kind of life can he now live?

For more information and tickets, visit www.cruisetheplay.co.uk

The full creative team includes Jack Holden (writer and performer), John Patrick Elliott (Music and Sound Design), Bronagh Lagan (Director), Nik Corrall (Design), STUFISH Entertainment Architects (Co-Design), Jai Morjaria (Lighting Designer) Sarah Golding (Movement) and Max Pappenheim (Additional Sound Design).
Initial development supported by Help Musicians Fusion Fund and Shoreditch Town Hall.

Meanwhile an original track from the production Rhythm of Us is available to stream online here.