The first staging outside of the United Kingdom.
The Olivier Award nominated play, Cruise, written and performed by Jack Holden, is heading to
South Africa – the first staging outside of the United Kingdom – for six shows only at Theatre Linden
in Johannesburg from Tuesday 6 th – Sunday 11 th December 2022.
Presented by HIV@40 and starring Daniel Geddes, Cruise is "an emotional roller-coaster without
ever once losing its hold on your attention" – Evening Standard
Cruise is the true story of what should have been Michael Spencer's last night on earth.
When diagnosed with HIV in 1984 , Michael is told he will have four years left to live. So, with the
clock ticking, he and his partner Dave decide to sell their house, flog the car and spend everything
and party like it is the last days of the world.
This play is an emotional rollercoaster at times and at others, an hilarious ode to gay culture in the
80's and how AIDS changed the community forever. Its staging in South Africa is very appropriate, as
2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the arrival of the HIV /AIDS pandemic on the African continent.
Cruise opened in the West End of London in the thick of the Covid-19 Pandemic and was the first
play to surface out of the pandemic. It ran for a month at The Duchess Theatre and due to popular
demand and rave reviews, transferred to the Apollo Theatre in the West End, closing in September
2022.
This South African production of Cruise is directed by Josh Lindberg, with original music by Roelof
Colyn, set design by Wilhelm Disbergen, lighting by Jane Gosnell and produced by Colin Law with
funding grants from the NAC , Department of Sports, Arts and Culture , PESP and AfroAsia
Philanthropy (Thailand).
Cruise stars the inimitable Daniel Geddes in the re-staging of the Jack Holden original work.
Director Josh Lindberg states; “I was immediately attracted to Cruise as a powerful story of
acceptance of otherness.
This play sits perfectly relevant here in South Africa, within our current time. Now more than ever
(somewhat sadly) our world still has so much further to travel in terms of acceptance of all. To ‘live
every day like it is your last, in the present -This story can be related to individual stories and can find
home with each of us.”
Lindberg continues; “With this come a wonderful opportunity to create a piece with a beautifully
talented and strong team -for me, as we all collaborate together, starting with a directorial vision,
but built, added to and nurtured by all, the sharing and offer of that to our audience is very special.
I always start with, ‘how can we move an audience’ – I feel this piece carries the potential to do that.”
Daniel Geddes adds; “I’m super excited and honoured to be sinking my teeth into this incredible role.
This Olivier nominated play is so important, and I can’t wait for South African audiences to see Jack’s
amazing work for the first time this December.”
Jack Holden is delighted that the South African premiere of CRUISE is the first international
production of his play.
Cruise runs at Theatre Linden, Johannesburg from Tuesday 6 th December – Sunday 11 th December
for 6 shows only.
Performances from Tuesday – Saturday at 19h30, Sunday at 14h30.
Tickets are R200 and bookings are via Quicket. There is a 10% discount available for Pensioners and
Students.
The production runs for 90 minutes with no interval. No under 16s.
“Joyful, painful and wholeheartedly life-grabbing, Cruise is an ode to the gay men who lived, loved
and were lost during the Aids crisis” – The Guardian, UK
“Simply Electric… Immense and influential” – Broadway World
