By Graham Hiley.
Star rating: 5/5
Southampton’s Mayflower Studios could not have picked a better show to celebrate their fifth anniversary than Kiss of the Spider Woman.
It is hard to believe that this beautiful intimate theatre has now been delighting audiences for five years with a diverse range of high quality productions.
And it is even more difficult to imagine that any of those could top this extraordinary adaptation of the recent smash hit musical movie. If you enjoyed the recently-released film, you would love this stage version!
Fittingly, it was a Mayflower production in conjunction with Leicester’s Curve and Bristol Old Vic and the astonishingly short three-venue tour is due to finish on Friday – though it is hard to believe it will not get picked up for the longer run it deserves.
Although it is well worthy of that wider audience, do make the most of having something this good so close to home. Revived in the UK for the first time in 30 years, it is an incredible piece of theatre which would not look out of place in the West End.
Originally written by Cabaret and Chicago creators John Kander and Fred Ebb, this production by Paul Foster is a true work of art; the storyline may be grim but the staging and the singing are sensational.
Adapted from Manuel Puig’s classic novel – as relevant now as it was in 1976 – it tells the story of two men who share the cell from hell in a brutal prison: Molina jailed for his sexuality and Valentin for his political beliefs.
From initial hostility, they forge a deep bond to find a shred of humanity in their inhumane hole where Molina uses his love of musicals as a coping mechanism for them both to imagine they are Over the Wall.
George Blagden gives a powerful performance as Valentin while Fabian Soto Pacheco is superb as Molina. Individually they are excellent but when they duet, they are another level again. Their chemistry is clear as they cling to each other against the intimidating warden and guards who also use off-stage screams to increase the fear factor.
And then there is Anna-Jane Casey who is magnificent in her dual role as both Molina’s dream actress Aurora and his nemesis the Spider Woman.
Her stage presence is amazing as she oozes both glamour and menace in Gabriella Slade’s eye-catching tight-fitting outfits which require improbably quick changes of costume – quite apart from the hair and make-up to match the white, green, red or black she wears.
Those vibrant colours contrast sharply with the bleak setting of the prison where every other character is dressed in black, brown or grey to match the dark mood.
But the real brightness comes from the staging which in many ways is the main highlight of this must-see show. The brilliant backdrop projections add to the menace and claustrophobia as the walls close in on the prisoners.
The stunning setting and the astute use of lighting make this a truly immersive and ultimately uplifting experience as the two cell mates discover a human touch which enables them to somehow survive the most brutal of beatings.
Their mantra comes from Ebb’s poignant lyric “You have to learn how not to be where you are.” By contrast, for two and a half hours the captivated audience would not want to be anywhere else.
Kiss of the Spider Woman runs at the Mayflower Studios until June 6. Visit: mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/kiss-of-the-spider-woman-2026/
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