• Review For Us
    • In London or across the UK
    • at Edinburgh Fringe
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Jack Holden’s CRUISE to Open in West End at The Duchess Theatre

the 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

by Staff Writer
March 18, 2021
Reading Time: 5 mins read
Behind the scenes photography of the filming of CRUISE written and performed by Jack Holden. c. Danny Kaan

Behind the scenes photography of the filming of CRUISE written and performed by Jack Holden. c. Danny Kaan

Aria Entertainment and Lambert Jackson have announced that the world premiere of Jack Holden’s Cruise will open at the Duchess Theatre from 18 May – 13 June 2021.

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.

Based on a true story Jack was told whilst volunteering for Switchboard, the LGBTQ+ Listening Service, this new play 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 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.

You mightalso like

Murder She Didn't Write credit Pamela Raith Photography

Murder, She Didn’t Write Announces Further West End Dates Following Sell-Out London Debut

2025 6 cast of The Play That Goes Wrong by Matt Crockett

Mischief Celebrates 4001st Performance of The Play That Goes Wrong with New West End Cast

Behind the scenes photography of the filming of CRUISE written and performed by Jack Holden. Photo by Danny Kaan A
Behind the scenes photography of the filming of CRUISE written and performed by Jack Holden. Photo by Danny Kaan 

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 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?

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).

Initial development supported by Help Musicians Fusion Fund and Shoreditch Town Hall.

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.

Related Articles

Murder She Didn't Write credit Pamela Raith Photography
News

Murder, She Didn’t Write Announces Further West End Dates Following Sell-Out London Debut

2025 6 cast of The Play That Goes Wrong by Matt Crockett
First Look

Mischief Celebrates 4001st Performance of The Play That Goes Wrong with New West End Cast

Rupert Goold Credit. Marc Brenner
News

Rupert Goold Announces Final Season as Artistic Director at the Almeida Theatre

The Talented Mr. Ripley image supplied by publicist
News

The Talented Mr Ripley to Embark on First Ever UK Tour in 2025

Comments 1

  1. Pingback: New Single Rhythm of Us Released from World Premiere of Cruise - Theatre Weekly

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Corinna Brown (Sephy) and cast in Noughts & Crosses (c) Manuel Harlan

Production Images Released for Noughts & Crosses at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Little Dancer image supplied by publicist

Cast Announced for Little Dancer – A New Musical In Concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly