 In 1977, Cross became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and performed in the premier of "Privates on Parade" as "Kevin Cartwright" and played Rover in a revival of a Restoration play titled "Wild Oats".Cross's path to international stardom began in 1978 with his performance in the play "Chicago", in which he played Billy Flynn, the slick lawyer of murderess Roxie Hart.During Cross's performance in "Chicago", he was recognised and recommended for a leading role in the multiple Oscar-winning "Chariots of Fire".