CRUISE THE PLAY

Daniel Geddes is superb in this iconic role

Some 40 years since AIDS changed our lives, HIV is something we now manage and live with. We have antiretrovirals for HIV treatment and PrEP to prevent transmission for those who are negative. Whilst many positive people still suffer stigma attached to the syndrome, the fear and paranoia that was associated with the “gay plague” as it was known has largely dissipated. But it can be difficult for those not around at the time to understand the horror and terror that lurked beneath the surface. We were young and we wanted to party and have as much sex as possible but there was much trepidation until we understood how HIV was transmitted and what we could do to protect ourselves.

Adding to the Eighties vogue is Cruise, the Olivier Award nominated play by Jack Holden which opened in London’s West End in the thick of the Covid pandemic. The local production of Cruise, which is the first international staging of the play outside of the UK, makes a return to South African stages after successful runs in Johannesburg last year and in Cape Town in April.

Cruise tells the story of a recent past which sees Jack, a young volunteer at LGBTQ+ charity Switchboard, take a call from a charismatic older gay man, Michael. The call recounts the story of Michael’s hedonistic life leading up to, and following, his HIV diagnosis in 1984 – painting a vivid, living and breathing picture of Soho through the 1980s. This one-and-a-half-hour emotional roller-coaster ride has Michael take us to his old haunts that no longer exist, inhabited by a cornucopia of marvellously drawn characters on the scene, from the piss elegant Polari Queen, the prissy twinks, burly bears and everyone in between. Essentially, Michael needs someone to bear witness to his life. While parts of the story as very sad, it is life affirming with some incredibly joyous moments. The scene where Michael tries ecstasy for the first time comes to mind.

The South African production stars Daniel Geddes in a remarkably energetic performance, directed by Josh Lindberg. He brilliantly holds the attention of the audience while he inhabits the various persona on the sparse set designed by Wilhelm Disbergen and lit by Jane Gosnell. The original music, written by John Patrick Elliot is an integral part of the performance. In all, Cruise, is a life-affirming celebration of a community determined to battle on in the face of adversity and a moving tribute to a generation lost to HIV. It’s a joy to behold.

South African audiences can next see Cruise at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda from the 28th June to the 1st July. The shows are at Glennie Hall at Victoria Girls Primary School, Beaufort Street. Tickets can be booked here: https://tickets.nationalartsfestival.co.za/performance/2885/ cruise

The production then moves to Johannesburg for a run at The Market Theatre from August 28th to 11th September. Tickets will be available from Webtickets.