AIDs and HIV were labelled ‘the gay disease’ and in our modern world we’ve now encountered monkeypox, another virus only being reported in members of the LGBTQ+ community. The attitude towards both these viruses, both in the 80s and the current day, are being mirrored. In a time where HIV rates are higher in heterosexual identifying people, we are still facing prejudice and are being targeted as a community.
Cruise is based on a true story of Michael Spencer’s “last night on earth”. Told alongside the story of a young gay man working for Switchboard, crafted with intelligence, comedy, a rollercoaster of emotions and unique design elements, this play is an absolute hit.
What Jack Holden’s Cruise does is brings these stories into the modern day and holds up a mirror to its audiences to face the history of the LGBTQ+ community but, with the genius writing, it is not forced upon us or directed to make us feel a certain way. It’s more of a reflection of the community in the 80s compared to that of now. LGBTQ+ theatre from the ’80s and ’90s is so pivotal and with recent revivals of The Normal Heart and Angels in America, we still feel the effects of these pieces. But Cruise feels like a perfect progression, it takes these experiences from the same era and relates them back to members of the community who haven’t experienced it and might be slightly ignorant of the struggles of hardship our community faced. As a performer, Jack Holden has a rare talent to be able to capture an audience in a huge West End venue and makes us feel included and taken on a journey. What he does perfectly is transition from character to character and we identify each one as different people. His approach is physical and vocal but is also subtle. He has the skills to balance the comedy and the seriousness of the piece, an incredibly intelligent actor who carries the show with ease and control. His working relationship with director Bronagh Lagan and her work on this piece is exquisite.
Holden is also the writer of the piece and it is phenomenal. As said about his performance, it is intelligent and has a vast variety of ups and downs that takes you on a true journey. John Patrick Elliott is the music composer and performer in the piece, his creations for the play really transport us in each section and the addition of having him on stage was a really nice touch, it rounds out each of the locations and emphasises the worlds Holden is trying to create on stage.
A mention must go to Nik Corrall, the designer of the play, an incredibly clever set design that works seamlessly in its movements to create each location. It pulls together every element of the piece and paired with Prema Mehta’s lighting design, it's a recipe for perfection.
Every element of this play is carefully constructed and you can feel the passion flood out of it; the performance, the writing, the sound, the design and every other element of this experience has been crafted with the utmost intelligence and care that the product, therefore, is entrancing and impactful. This is an important piece for the LGBTQ+ community, Holden gives the performance of a lifetime and you need to beg, borrow or steal a ticket to this. The most important play you can see this summer.
Review by Mark Swale
Rating: ★★★★★
Seat: Stalls L12 | Price of Ticket: £59.50
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
