THE first major revival of the musical version of Manuel Puig’s Kiss of the Spider Woman comes to Bristol Old Vic from 29th April to 16th May, and to Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre from 2nd to 6th June.

Set in an Argentinian prison, Molina, imprisoned for his homosexuality, is put in a cell with political prisoner Valentin, forcing the two men into an unlikely friendship. Over the months, in an effort to escape from the harsh reality of their situation, Molina conjures up fantasies of glamorous movies, enacting tales of the seductive and dangerous Spider Woman. As their conditions worsen, the stories gain momentum and the line between truth and fiction blurs.

Is the promise of a kiss from the Spider Woman an obsession or salvation?

Puig’s novel, first filmed in 1985, was adapted for the stage by Terrence McNally, and the 1993 Broadway production of the musical won ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.

The cast for the new Curve, Bristol Old Vic and Mayflower Southampton production includes Anna-Jane Casey as Aurora, rising star Fabian Soto Pacheco as Molina and George Blagden as Valentin.