Olivier-nominated Cruise, written by and starring Jack Holden, announces regional premiere

Exclusive: Jack Holden’s (Ten Per Cent) hit show Cruise is set to stage its regional premiere in HOME, Manchester this summer.

Set in 1980’s Soho, the piece is inspired by a true story Holden was told while volunteering for Switchboard, the LGBTQ+ listening and advice phone line. It is billed as a “kaleidoscopic musical celebration of queer culture with an uplifting soundtrack”, which will once again be mixed and performed live during the show by John Patrick Elliott.

Holden and Elliott commented: “We’re so excited to bring Cruise to HOME, Manchester for a limited run this summer! In 2021, we reopened the West End with a bang, returning for another sell-out run in summer 2022. Audiences were in desperate need of a release – a reason to come together, to laugh, to cry and to have a little dance – and Cruise gave them just that. HOME is the perfect next stop for our loud, proud, hilarious and heartbreaking show. We can’t wait to get back on stage, make one hell of a noise, and take Manchester back to the 1980s!”

It was described as “a remarkable tour-de-force” by WhatsOnStage’s Sarah Crompton during its West End run at the Duchess Theatre in 2021, and it went on to receive an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play.

A feature film adaptation is also currently in development.

Cruise is directed by Bronagh Lagan. The creative team also includes Nik Corrall (set and costume designer), Stufish Entertainment Architects (set and projection designer), Prema Mehta (lighting designer), Max Pappenheim (co-sound designer), Sarah Golding (movement director), Chris Matanlé for Aria Entertainment (general manager and assistant producer), Playing Field (co-producer), and Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment (producer).

Cruise will run at HOME, Manchester from 20 July to 12 August 2023, with a press night set for 25 July.

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