Queer play Cruise returns to West End for 3 weeks this Summer

Olivier-nominated play CRUISE will return to the West End for a strictly limited run at the Apollo Theatre this summer. Tickets for Cruise on sale here.

Written and performed by Jack Holden (Ten Per Cent, Amazon Prime Video; War Horse, National Theatre) the show opened to rave reviews – ‘A tour de force, the toast of the town.’ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Telegraph – at the Duchess Theatre in London’s West End in May 2021.

Based on a true story Jack was told whilst volunteering for Switchboard, the LGBTQ+ Listening Service, CRUISE plays 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 Patrick Elliott.

Jack Holden and John Patrick Elliott said: “We’re ecstatic that CRUISE is coming to the Apollo Theatre for a limited run this Summer. Our first run reopened the West End with a bang. Audiences had been cooped up indoors for a long time, and we all needed a reason to come together, to laugh, to cry and to have a little dance – CRUISE was just that. This incarnation of CRUISE will be bigger, brighter, louder and prouder. We can’t wait to get back on stage, make one hell of a noise, and take our audiences back to 1980s Soho.”

Producer Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment said: “To have the opportunity to bring CRUISE back to the West End this summer is an absolute privilege. What a journey we have all been on from a brilliant first run at Duchess Theatre to an Olivier nomination for Best New Play. More audiences will now get to share this powerful and gripping musical drama and be taken back to the 80’s to be immersed in such an important part of history. We can’t wait to arrive at Apollo Theatre and continue our journey.”

Producers Jamie Lambert and Eliza Jackson of Lambert Jackson said: “CRUISE holds an incredibly special place in our hearts. It’s electric, it’s exciting, and it’s coming to the Apollo Theatre, right in the heart of the historical setting for the play. What an honour to be involved in such an important queer piece of theatre – and to continue to celebrate the show after its well-deserved Olivier Award nomination.”

Nica Burns, Chief Executive Nimax Theatres and producer of Rising Stars Festival said: “CRUISE was the stand-out star of Nimax’s ground-breaking Rising Stars Festival, which spearheaded the reopening of our six theatres post pandemic. A gem of a play and an incredible writing debut from its star, actor Jack Holden, which went on to win a nomination for Best New Play at the 2022 Olivier Awards. We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jack and his producers back to the West End to give audiences another chance to see this intoxicating evening.”

The full creative team includes Jack Holden (writer and performer), John Patrick Elliott (Music and Sound Design), Bronagh Lagan (Director), Nik Corrall (Design), STUFISH Entertainment Architects (Co-Design), Jai Morjaria (Lighting Designer) Sarah Golding (Movement) and Max Pappenheim (Additional Sound Design).

Cruise runs from 13 August 2022 until 4 September 2022 at the Apollo Theatre, London.