Cruise review | Fruit Box Theatre | Theatre Works

In 1980s London, at the height of the AIDS crisis, a diagnosis of HIV carried a devastating prognosis. Cruise follows Michael, a gay man who, after being told he has only four years to live, decides to spend what remains of his life embracing everything the city’s nightlife has to offer. But when he survives beyond the date he had expected to die, he is left to confront an entirely different challenge: working out how to live in a future he never imagined he would have.

Fraser Morrison captivates us from the moment he appears. Playing more than 20 characters, he moves effortlessly between them, transforming his voice, physicality and mannerisms to distinguish each one. Among them are the two protagonists, Jack, a young gay man volunteering at an LGBTQ Switchboard, and Michael, a caller recounting his life as a young gay man in 80s London.

What makes Morrison's portrayal particularly impressive is the confidence with which he takes on this mix of personalities. His transitions are often instantaneous, especially when switching between several speakers in a conversation, yet never confusing. Each character is distinct, allowing the audience to follow the rapid exchanges and numerous relationships with ease. He brings considerable emotional depth to the role, balancing humour with the vulnerability and heartbreak of the subject matter. There are very powerful passages in the script, and Morrison gives them the weight they demand.

Sean Landis' direction pulls the various elements together, supporting Morrison and drawing us further into Michael's experiences. While this is a story whose broad trajectory we may anticipate, Landis keeps us invested in its unfolding. He makes purposeful use of the entire stage, keeping Morrison in constant motion and ensuring the action never feels static. Morrison commands the space, with his physical presence extending well beyond the confines of each setting. There is a sense that he is taking up room on behalf of the gay men who came before him, particularly those living with HIV who were never afforded the same freedom to occupy that space.

Jack Holden's script moves between humour and tragedy, weaving Michael's personal account with the wider history of a generation forever changed by the AIDS crisis. It also draws a connection to the present through Jack, whose limited understanding of this significant chapter in gay history highlights the generational gap in lived experience and knowledge. Holden imbues his writing with an intimacy that makes the topic all the more shattering, while the shifts between past and present give the narrative a broader perspective.

Original set, sound and costume designer Chelsea Wheatley presents four separate yet physically connected areas: the switchboard office, a sofa on a red carpet, a dance floor and a bar with two stools. These are revisited throughout the show, representing different locations as events unfold. Wheatley's sound and Tom Hicks's lighting design work seamlessly together to continually transform the settings, making imaginative use of a relatively straightforward stage design. Hicks's lighting brings a striking degree of dynamism to the production, using light from above, behind and to the sides of the stage, alongside coloured washes and stark, unfiltered lighting to create a range of atmospheres.

Movement director Jeremy Lloyd incorporates eye-catching choreography and dance sequences, reflecting the importance of music and the clubbing scene during this era. Physical expression is also woven into the way Morrison inhabits his myriad of roles. He doesn't simply walk from one side to the other; he dances, struts and carries himself with a flair that adds another dimension to his portrayals.

Cruise is a celebration of life and a reminder of a community profoundly affected by the AIDS crisis in the 80s. Morrison's remarkable performance, combined with Holden's candid writing, allows Michael's journey to be as entertaining as it is heartbreaking. While much has changed since the 80s, remembering those who lived through those years, and those who didn't, still matters. Cruise is a moving tribute to a generation of gay men whose stories deserve to be heard.

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland St, St Kilda
Season: until 21 November | Tues - Sat 7:30pm
Duration: 100 minutes
Tickets: $48 Full | $38 Conc
Bookings: Theatre Works

Image credit: Abraham de Souza