Jack Holden’s one-man show Cruise first opened at the Duchess Theatre in 2021 and started off as a project during the COVID-19 lockdown. I didn’t get the chance to see it back then, but after hearing all the positive word during its return to the Apollo Theatre, I managed to nab a ticket the day before it closed. I know it will be strange that after its finished its run, but I have a sneaky feeling this won’t be the last we see of it.
Cruise
Written and performed by: Jack Holden
Music written and performed by: John Patrick Elliott
Venue: Apollo Theatre
Rating: ★★★★★
What is Cruise About?
Cruise is a semi-autobiographical one act play based on Jack Holden’s time volunteering for the LGBTQ+ helpline Switchboard. One morning hungover and alone in the office, a middle-aged man named Michael calls Jack, leading him to tell his story in the gay scene of 1980s Soho. Diagnosed with AIDS in 1984, then a life expectancy of four years max, Michael decides to try living life to the fullest and go out with a bang as he waits for what is meant to be the last day of his life in 1988.
What are my thoughts on Cruise?
The AIDS crisis throughout the 1980s has been depicted as a bleak and traumatic time for the LGBTQ+ community, and rightfully so. Cruise pulls no punches in the tragedy as Michael is forced to come to terms with his own mortality while losing people he loves, but it also reminds us of what a joyous time it was. Thanks to Bronagh Lagan’s fantastic direction, Prema Mehta’s neon lighting and Nik Corral’s steel gym set design, you immediately get transported into the 80s Soho gay scene through Michael’s eyes. You can see a time filled with unabashed hedonism, sexual freedom and rent that was the same as a cup of coffee (if only we had that type of economy now).
Jack Holden makes the smart decision to set up the story with an unsure and anxious 22-year-old version of himself as an audience surrogate, adding authenticity to the biographical elements while highlighting the generational clash of our time looking at the 80’s with rose-tinted glasses versus the reality with Michael. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t much-needed levity to its heavy topics. In fact, the comedic elements outweigh the tragedy without feeling out of place whether it’s Nymphs on Greek Street or Jack getting a phone call that ends with a surprising climax.
What did I like most about Cruise?
What keeps Cruise together is Jack Holden himself, who is such a compelling and evocative storyteller. His ability to seamlessly switch from a colourful cast of characters including Old Sandy, Slutty Dave, DJ Fingers and Gordon Polari (nice tribute to the Polari language rampant in 80’s gay culture) is a testament to his talent, managing to convey so many emotions in single conversations. Keeping me gripped throughout the 100 minutes, Holden also gives us ample time to show off his singing chops including a hilarious drag queen sequence and Top Gun’s Danger Zone.
I must also praise John Patrick Elliott’s music which also acts as a character on its own. Filled with pulsating beats and classic 80’s synths, his mad DJ skills manage to convey the etherealness and nostalgia of Michael’s time including the introduction to rave music at the Heaven club and Michael falling in love with Slutty Dave’s cover of You’re Always On My Mind.
What are my overall thoughts?
Cruise is ultimately a life-affirming play and a poignant tribute to the LGBTQ+ men who died and survived during the AIDS crisis. With its roots born in the COVID-19 lockdowns, it helps us learn from the effects of one crisis to the one currently happening that has also been misunderstood due to a disproportionate group of suffering from it.
Jack Holden’s performance and script is equal parts funny and heartbreaking, and it felt especially heartwarming to see LGBTQ+ audience members relate to and learn from it in the same place where most of the action takes place. It’s one the easiest five stars for a show I’ve seen this year and I truly hope we get to see more of it.
Plus it was also nice to see a BSL interpreter onstage – something I feel other theatres should do to be more accessible to everyone!
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