Set in 1980s Soho, CRUISE is despairing and delightful, heart-wrenching and heartwarming.
CRUISE is a two-person, Olivier-nominated play teaming flawless acting with irresistible music. CRUISE shines its fluorescent red, blue and white lights over the backstreets of 1980s Soho, where the scene is grotty and grimy, it’s dangerous, and it’s raucous, it’s beautiful, and it’s alive! Behind closed doors, secret passwords, public bathrooms, drag bars and sweaty dancefloors, this is being gay in the ’80s.
It’s 1988, Michael Spencer is out on the town for the very last time (kind of), and he’s got old haunts to haunt, queens to be dragged, goodbyes to be said and dance floors to stomp. This is his night, teaming his favourite jacket with his f*uck it vibe. He’s going to tear Soho up if it’s the last thing he does.
CRUISE follows Michael Spencer’s story told through the fresh-faced Jack, a volunteer for the LGBT+ helpline, Switchboard, beautifully played by writer and performer Jack Holden. Michael tells Jack about one of the biggest nights of his life and all that came before when he was handed his metaphorical ticking time bomb; HIV and four years to live.
It’s no coincidence that CRUISE is set against the backdrop of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, which banned Local Authorities and schools from ‘promoting homosexuality.’ Negatively resulting in promoting homophobia, discrimination, and persecution, especially for those dealing with HIV and AIDS.
Through Holden’s care and attention to detail, CRUISE brings to life a true depiction of what life was like in the 1980’s for the LGBTQ+ community. Holden brings their stories, voices and personality to life through gait, facial expressions and accents with elegance and grace that is utterly flawless.
Award-winning Music Composer John Patrick Elliott is raised above the stage like our very own resident DJ, composing and performing the heartbeat of CRUISE; it’s score. Patrick Elliot’s talents know no bounds as he plays an array of instruments, sings, and creates sound effects with utter perfection. Patrick Elliot feels the music, you can tell he’s enjoying it and he’s a joy to watch.
Nik Corrall’s set design of garish steel frames perfectly depicts the darkened corners and dingey nightclubs of Thatcher-era Soho in the 80’s with great versatility. With many levels and teamed with Prema Mehta’s lighting design, Holden tears up the stage, his very own adult playground, to transport the audience through time and place.
Mehta’s clever lighting dazzles the audience, there’s nothing to see here, Britain’s dirty little secret. The performance, lighting and sound are perfectly timed, like a well-oiled machine, a beautiful cacophony of the very best kind.
CRUISE is despairing and delightful, heart-wrenching and heartwarming. It’s the party that you don’t want to end, an absolute must-see.
CRUISE runs at HOME, Manchester, until 12 August 2023
Sophia Agnew works in Comms and Marketing after previously studying Drama and Theatre at the University of Hull and a brief stint performing herself. She now much prefers being part of the audience and working in a creative industry. She also has interests in events, house renovation, growing her book collection and finding the best bottomless brunch.
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