Review: Cruise

Hey readers!

It's time for my review of Cruise. 

"1988. Soho. His last night on earth. The intoxicating, vibrant Cruise is the true story of what should have been Michael Spencer’s last night on earth, performing live for a strictly limited season at the Duchess Theatre from 18 May to 13 June. Following the phenomenal success of Channel 4’s It’s a Sin, CRUISE is a celebration of life, queer culture and survival - this is the uplifting and inspirational theatrical event of summer 2021."

Cruise revolves around the AIDS epidemic, bringing to life a true story of what it was genuinely like to live with the virus. It tackles the topic in a truthful and meaningful way, exploring a significant part of LGBT+ history. The subject matter is of the upmost importance, and it's crucial that the tale gets told. It's a fascinating narrative, and one which really provides food for thought. The piece is written by Jack Holden, an up and coming playwright making his professional debut. The notion that this is Holden's first play is astounding; the writing is largely faultless, and he has the audience engaged throughout. It was easy to immerse yourself in the world of these characters, and the connection between the protagonist and the audience was formed instantaneously. Beyond this, the theatre had a great atmosphere to it, and at times it really felt as if we too were in a nightclub alongside the main character. The experience feels very immersive, allowing the time to fly right by. 

The show is a one-man play, performed by its playwright, Jack Holden. Holden is filled with charisma from head to toe, demonstrating that he is just as skilled a performer as he is a playwright. He does an excellent job at connecting with the audience, and maintains maximum energy levels throughout the course of the play. It's an extremely demanding role, so it is impressive that he remains so animated throughout. This is all the more admirable when one considers that Holden is required to do two performances on the weekends; by no means an easy feat. Beyond this, he is extremely versatile, having to portray over a dozen roles over the course of 90 minutes. He transitions from one character to the next seamlessly, and provides some excellent characterisations. 

Cruise features live music, with an original electronic score composed by John Elliott. The music is excellent, and really adds to the overall atmosphere of the piece. It made the production feel lively at all times, further adding to the feeling that we too were in a nightclub. In relation to other production elements, the lighting design by Jai Morjaria was truly incredible. It consisted of cutting neon strobes beaming across the stage, and successfully created a colourful atmosphere. The scenic design, by Nik Corrall, was equally as striking. The set is fairly minimalistic, and yet it does wonders. The design transports the audience to a variety of locations, and does so effectively. 

Now for my final verdict on Cruise. I give Cruise...

Cruise is an intriguing tale, and it was a pleasure to witness it. The talents of Jack Holden have no limits, and he is both a gifted playwright and an extraordinary performer. With this being his professional debut, I look forward to his future endeavours.

Think it should have got a higher rating? Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so comment below.

Thanks for reading!

-The Basic Theatre Reviewer