Queer female theatre company Dreambite Collective make their Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut with Cruising, a bold and subversive new romcom that blends romance, rivalry and climate activism.
Written by Katrina Bennett, Cruising follows a chance meeting between a dancer and a climate activist aboard a Mediterranean cruise. What begins as a flirtatious holiday encounter quickly spirals into something far more complicated when the pair discover they are both in a relationship with the same person. As attraction gives way to competition, their connection transforms into a fierce rivalry, fuelled by a shared moral urgency.
Set against the backdrop of a mega-polluting cruise ship, the pair embark on a campaign of ecosabotage, turning their personal conflict into a wider battle against environmental destruction. As tensions rise alongside the temperature, Cruising explores whether passion, politics and desire can coexist in a world on the brink.
Blending humour with a sharp political edge, the play examines the intersection of protest, identity and climate crisis. Beneath its playful romcom surface, it confronts urgent questions about the effectiveness of activism, the impact of authoritarian anti-protest laws, and the need for collective action.
Katrina Bennett, a founding member of Dreambite Collective, brings her distinctive voice to the piece, building on previous work that has gained attention for its exploration of queer female experience and socially engaged themes. With Cruising, the company continues its commitment to creating form-breaking theatre that challenges expectations while remaining emotionally resonant.
You mightalso like
Performed by Clare Stenning and Davy Roderick, with Fabian Bevan providing voice work, the production combines sharp writing with a dynamic, intimate performance style. Dreambite Collective’s collaborative approach ensures a piece that is both inventive and rooted in lived experience.
With its mix of sizzling chemistry, biting satire and contemporary relevance, Cruising promises to be a standout debut at the Fringe, offering audiences a fresh and daring take on love, politics and the climate emergency.
Cruising runs at Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Three) from 5 – 31 August (not 25 August) at 12:50. Tickets are on sale hereÂ
