Cruise heads to Cape Town

Cruise heads to Cape TownAfter wowing Johannesburg audiences, the acclaimed UK queer play Cruise heads to Cape Town for a two-and-a-half-week run this April.

by Mambaonline.com

01-03-2023 10:53

in LGBTQIA

Daniel Geddes stars in the queer play Cruise. Photo: Mambaonline

Written and originally performed by Jack Holden, this production of Cruise is the first international staging of the play outside of the United Kingdom.

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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.

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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 one-man play is an emotional rollercoaster at times and at others, a hilarious ode to gay culture in the 80s and how AIDS changed the community forever.

Its staging in South Africa is very apt, as 2022 marked the 40th anniversary of the arrival of the HIV /AIDS pandemic on the African continent.

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Cruise opened in the West End of London in the thick of Covid-19 and was the first play to surface out of the pandemic.

Cruise is on at The Avalon Theatre in The Homecoming Centre 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.

The South African production of Cruise is directed by Josh Lindberg, with original music by John Patrick Elliott, set design by Wilhelm Disbergen, lighting by Jane Gosnell, 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. Taking on a role of this scope and acclaim was super exciting and humbling. It was especially nerve-wracking stepping into Jack's shoes as the original writer/performer, he says.

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Can we do his piece justice? Geddes asks. The responses from the Joburg audiences in December were a resounding Yes'. This Olivier-nominated play is so important and exceptionally beautiful. I can't wait for Cape Town audiences to see Jack's amazing work for the first time this April.

Cruise is on at The Avalon Theatre in The Homecoming Centre, Cape Town from Wednesday 12th to Sunday 30th April 2023.

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Performances run from Wednesdays to Fridays at 19h30, Saturdays at 17h00 and 19h30 and Sundays at 14h30.

Tickets are R195 and bookings are via Quicket.

Article by Mamba Writer

This article was initially published on MAMBAonlie.com

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