This production is recommended for ages 16+.
Performance dates
13 August - 4 September 2022
Run time 1hr 40min including an interval.
Includes interval
- Show info
- Accessibility
- Reviews
- News
Cruise returns to London's West End for a limited run
Following the phenomenal success of its onstage premiere at the Duchess Theatre, Jack Holden's Cruise transfers to the Apollo Theatre to dazzle audiences again. The show is back for a strictly limited run later this year, ending 4th September, so book now and don't miss out!
What is Cruise about?
It's 1988 in Soho and tonight should be Michael Spencer's last night on earth. If you enjoyed the wildly successful tv show It's a Sin, then Cruise will let you continue that celebration of life, love and survival in the gay community in the 80s.
In 1984, Michael gets the news that he's HIV positive. He's given four years to live, at most. So what do you do when your clock is ticking? Well, Michael and his partner Dave decide to sell the house, get rid of the car and spend it all partying and celebrating like there is no tomorrow.
Two years on, Dave dies, and Michael steps up his hedonistic ways. Then on 29th February 1988, the last day on his ticking clock, Michael hits the streets of Soho wearing his favourite jacket and goes on a singing, dancing farewell tour. After saying goodbye to everyone and everything and putting all his affairs in order, Michael promptly… survives.
Michael is one of the lucky gay men who has been given the gift of life, but what kind of life can he live now?
Who is responsible for Cruise the West End play?
Nominated for the 2022 Oliver award for Best New Play, this incredibly uplifting and inspirational new show was written by and stars Jack Holden (War Horse, West End; Ink, Almeida Theatre). The show is directed by Bronagh Logan (A Night at the Oscars: A Musical Revue, C-O-N-T-A-C-T) and features an elevating 80s electronic soundtrack performed live by John Elliott.
Cruise play transfers to Apollo Theatre
This vivid one-man play is a celebration of queer culture set to an irresistible 80s soundtrack. Jack Holden brings this poignant tale to life in an intense commemoration of the veterans of the AIDs crisis. Return to the theatre with Cruise for a show that will make you laugh and cry, have you tapping your feet and may leave you determined to live each day as if it's your last.
Book Cruise tickets today and get back to the theatre!
If you are going to live each day like it's your last, what better thing to do than make your way to the West End's Apollo Theatre to enjoy a night of culture?
Cruise plays at the Apollo Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue from 13th August to 4th September 2022. This run is extremely limited, so be sure to book your Cruise play tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Content
Flashing lights, strobing effect. smoke and haze will be used in this productionRecent Reviews
Absolutely amazing. What a fabulous actor. Emotional
The show was simply amazing !Jack Holden is Brilliant and so is John Elliot ! Story acting music all so powerful!
Wow. What a fantastic play. My partner and I regard Cruise as one of the best we have seen, and we have seen dozens ! Jack Holden is superb, what a talented guy. It's a moving story of a gay man navigating the 80s gay scene in London, at a time when AIDS was a death sentence. The power of the performance literally reduced my girl friend to tears. I hope they can secure another spell in the West End, as Cruise needs to be seen.
A tour de force. Best one man show I've ever seen. Best play about gay/HIV that I've seen - not cloyingly sentimental or at all self-indulgent. Performance of a lifetime. Incredible achievement.
Incredible show
Absolutely brilliant
Just breathtaking and brilliant!
The best Show ever. Sad it is only for short time in London. The full show is perfection: from the lights by Jai Morjaria that are on the exact position (while the actor is moving a lot) and bring you even more inside of the stories. All the lights fit together at the perfection. The sound by Max Pappenheim is at the perfect level between everything (voice, sounds, songs, instruments). And congratulations for bringing the wire on the mic .. little detail that make the difference! Nik Corrall: massive applause. From DJ to guitar to drums. All the soundtrack is exact for every single moments. Sometimes it is just a little background barely could be ear but will make the difference. And finally Jack Holden. Brillant. From the text: modern, beautiful, exact for every moment. The poésie and the life all merged with beauty. 1h40 of monologue interpreting various characters and bringing you with you in the stories. The acting is amazing, the voice right on tone when speaking and singing, the energy from calm to extasie. The stage: simple and so complex to fulfill all the moves and various atmosphere. It is done with success. The performance could be a movie presenting on it's final version but live, to you with only 2 people on stage and 3 in the back. The final at "Bangs" remarkable: the music, the mix, the lights, the stage turning (even faster) and Jack simply making you part of the extase moment where everything fit to perfection.
Sensational one man tour de force about life, love, loss and the dance floor in 1980’s Soho.
Performance and energy were sensational. Was funny, charming and intriguing. Fascinating performance.
A tour de force by the writer/performer. Funny and poignant.
I took my 17 year old daughter who loves to learn about gay culture and history. We were both completely blown away by Jack Holden, the set, the visuals and gripped by the story. We will never see a show as good as this again. It was phenomenal.
Latest Cruise News
News / Features / New Shows + Transfers
Here’s what London Theatre shows you can see from next week (17th May)
It’s been a long time coming but at long last, the end is finally in sight. Theatre will begin to slowly return from next week – commencing 17 May when some restrictions lift. If like us, you’re itching to return to the theatre and are in desperate need to experience live performances once again, here is a full list of what you can see from next week up until 21 June when further restrictions are planned to be lift.
10 May, 2021 | By Jade Ali
News / Features / New Shows + Transfers
Cruise The Play to have limited West End run at the Duchess Theatre
Jack Holden’s Cruise is coming to London’s Duchess Theatre for a strictly limited season from 18 May to 13 June. Cruise is a true story based on what should have been Michael Spencer’s last night on Earth. This production is a celebration of life, queer culture and survival. Tickets for Cruise the play are going to sell fast, as its set to be the uplifting and inspirational theatrical event of the summer. So, be sure to book now and avoid FOMO!
18 Mar, 2021 | By Jade Ali
Keep me updated
We'll tell you as soon as tickets go on sale:
Tickets from an authorised retailer
- Full refunds for event cancellations
- Secure booking & payment