• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Kiss of the Spider Woman

Review

Two men, gay window dresser Molina and political activist Valentin, share a cell in a South American prison where torture and brutality are the norm.

As the setting for a musical Manuel Puigís novel (best known for the film which won William Hurt an Oscar) is most unlikely.

What makes it stand out is an added ingredient - the magic of the movies. Molina survives by conjuring up images of his screen heroine the Spider Woman with scenes from her films played out Busby Berkeley-style before us. The result is an odd-couple romance, as the cellmates' dislike and distrust gives way to love and respect, with spectacular musical interludes.

Stuart Francis gives Molina the right blend of queenly haughtiness and vulnerability, backed by a strong singing voice. Carl Walmsley brings a quiet intensity to the less showy role of Valentin as Jeannette Broad's dangerous-to-know Spider Woman draws them into her web.

HumDrum AmDram's production (staging, Psu Boyne and James George; choreography, Michèle Johnson; musical director, James Cross) makes effective use of the limited New Theatre Royal stage.

Steve Pratt The Portsmouth News - Wednesday 21st July '99