Dancer and choreographer Kinky is expanding his range with a bold leap into a one-person play.
On the 17th, producer Knock Theatre announced the Korean premiere of the play Cruise and revealed the casting lineup, quickly drawing buzz.
Cruise is set in 1980s London and dives deep into queer life and solidarity. The play earned a nomination for Best New Play at the Olivier Awards, cementing its status as a well-crafted production.
The story begins at the LGBTQ+ telephone helpline Switchboard, when Jack—hungover on a blurry morning—picks up a call from a stranger named Michael. Having endured profound loss for years, Michael leads Jack into a singular night in London’s Soho on February 29, 1988. Based on writer-actor Jack Holden’s autobiographical experiences, the show premiered in the UK in 2021 and has since enjoyed successful runs across South Africa, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, and more.
Its biggest hook? One actor embodies more than 20 vivid characters across nearly 40 years. The stage promises not only a searing solo performance but also an electrifying soundscape packed with electronic music that defined the UK’s 1980s club culture—offering audiences a fresh, sensory experience.
The Korean premiere lineup is already turning heads. Kinky—who delivered standout choreography and performances for top K-Pop acts like I.O.I, aespa, and IVE, and rose to mainstream fame on Mnet’s Street Man Fighter (hereafter SMF)—will make his first-ever theater appearance.
Joining him is powerhouse actor Han Min-woo, acclaimed for solid performances in stage works like Notes From the Last Row, The Boys in the Band, and Posh.
Director Lee Nam-gi of Knock Theatre stated, "Through a driving rhythm and a mesmerizing narrative, we aim to deliver a message about survival and love that today’s Korean audiences can deeply relate to," adding, "We hope to open the door of the closed closet and savor the beautiful journey of life together."
Cruise will run from October 29 to November 8 at Theater KUM in Daehak-ro, Seoul.