HOME, MANCHESTER 20 July – 12 August 2023
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February 29th, 1988, Soho
Nominated for the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Play, Cruise is making its regional premiere at HOME Manchester this summer, from 20 July – 12 August.
Performed and created by Jack Holden, Cruise is “an emotional rollercoaster without ever once losing its hold on your attention” (Evening Standard), featuring a “pulse-quickening, period-pastiche electro soundtrack” (The Telegraph) performed live by John Patrick Elliott.
February 29, 1988. Soho, London. ‘CRUISE’ is the true story of what should have been Michael Spencer’s last night on Earth. When Michael is diagnosed with HIV in 1984, he’s told he’ll have four years to live – at most. So, with the clock ticking, he and his partner, Dave, decide to sell their house, flog the car, spend everything they have and party like it’s the last days of Rome. When Dave dies two years later, Michael doubles down on his hedonistic ways, spending what little he has left and drowning himself in drink and drugs.
On the last night of his four-year countdown – the 29 February, 1988 – Michael decides to go out with a bang. He puts on his favourite jacket, heads for Soho, and embarks on a long night of farewells. He says his goodbyes to friends, enemies and strangers; old haunts, dive bars, cafes, clubs and pubs; his brothers, sisters, allies and exes. He dances, sings, and says yes to everything and everyone. Then, with all his affairs taken care of, Michael promptly… survives. Michael got lucky, and he goes on to live to a ripe old age. Michael has been given the gift of life; but what kind of life can he now live?
