“Let’s make sure we’re travelling so fast that the heat we generate when we reenter the sky will burn us up and paint the night with light.”

Backlit by the clubs of London’s Soho, Michael Spencer faces the music of his last night on Earth. Diagnosed with HIV in 1984, he's told by doctors that he has just four years to live. Determined, he decides his doomsday will be his biggest party yet. Sweat mixes with tears, and final dances turn into farewells. There’s a midnight countdown to his death but Michael … survives. With the gift of life, how can he go on living?

Nominated for the Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2022 and now receiving its Australian premiere with community-led Fruit Box Theatre, Cruise is an intergenerational monologue spanning four decades and over 20 characters, celebrating queer nightlife and paying tribute to a generation lost to the AIDS crisis.

Director Sean Landis
Producer Hana Truban
Movement Director Jeremy Lloyd
Production / Sound Designer Chelsea Wheatley
Lighting Designer Tom Hicks
Accent / Dialect Coach Linda Nicholls-Gidley
Stage Manager Caity Cowan
Assistant Producer Louis Walker
Assistant Production Designer Lucy Doherty
Assistant Stage Manager Alice Chao
Cinematographer Anna McGirr
Photographer Abraham de Souza
Community Consultants Jonny Seymour, Wilfred Roach and Helen Fraser

With Fraser Morrison

Performing at KXT on Broadway (181 Broadway, Ultimo)

Wednesday 12 February 7:30pm - 9:00pm (preview)
Thursday 13 February 7:30pm - 9:00pm (preview)
Friday 14 February 7:30pm - 9:00pm (preview)
Saturday 15 February 7:30pm - 9:00pm (opening night)
Sunday 16 February 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Tuesday 18 February 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday 19 February 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Thursday 20 February 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Friday 21 February 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Saturday 22 February 7:30pm - 9:00pm (closing night)

Preview $35
Concession $40
Adult $50

Accessible Tickets $20
NOTE: These tickets are for students, under 30’s, mob, or unwaged ticket buyers. Use code ‘OPENDOOR’ at checkout on the full price adult ticket. Eligible for Thursday performances ONLY.

NOTE: All tickets are General Admission

References to Self Harm
References to HIV/AIDS Related Illness and Death
References to Homophobia
Depictions of Drug Use
Sexual Themes
Flashing Lights
Haze
Use of Herbal Cigarettes
Loud Music

KXT on Broadway is situated inside a heritage listed building and as such, there is some impact on accessibility. 

There is a small lip at the entrance to the venue which is then level throughout. The hallway in the entrance of the venue is a bit narrow but has been assessed as wheelchair accessible. 

There are bathrooms on the same level of the theatre but these are not wheelchair accessible. 

Companion cards are available - at time of booking, please write your companion card request in the notes. 

If you require wheelchair or step-free seating, which is available, please write this in the notes at time of booking. 

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact our Access Coordinator, Courtney, at access@fruitboxtheatre.com.au or 0437403518.

Oli Mathiesen, Emily Henderson, Hayden Moon, Jeffrey Khoo, Robbie Wardhaugh, Performance Space

★★★★★ "A triumph of beautifully nuanced observations and compassionate storytelling" - Chad Armstrong, Cultural Binge

★★★★★ "It cries out to be seen more than once" - Diana Simmonds, Stage Noise

★★★★★ "Astonishing, captivating and transformative. This sold out season of Cruise deserved all the praise it received" - Justin Clarke, Theatre Thoughts

★★★★★ "Extraordinary" - Sophie Highmore, Spot On Sydney

★★★★1/2 “Fabulously and irresistably entertaining" - Suzy Wrong, Suzy Goes See

★★★★1/2 “This is a play full of joy" - Christine de Matos, ArtsHub

★★★★1/2 “A masterclass in transformation" - Victoria Luxton, Stage Door Reviews

★★★★ “You won’t see a more agile 90 minutes of solo acting this year – or an indie production more deserving of a return season" - Jason Blake, Limelight

“Executed Brilliantly” - Carroll Wimmer, Stage Whispers

"History hurts, but the sharing of it heals" - Paul Nolan, Sydney Arts Guide

“Gritty, lively, sexy and heartbreaking” - William Winter, Honi Soit

“Despite it all ..we dance!” - Andrea Bunjamin, Theatre Travels

"A piece like this is a beautiful gift." - Paul Gilchrist, Theatre Reds

"Flawlessly designed" - Anna Sokolova, Theatre Ins and Outs