Co-producers Mayflower Southampton, Curve, and Bristol Old Vic are preparing for the upcoming revival of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s musical, Kiss of the Spider Woman, which visits Mayflower Studios from Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 June.
Obsession or salvation?
One kiss from the Spider Woman can change everything.
In a brutal prison, Molina – condemned for his sexuality, and Valentin – a political prisoner, are forced into an unlikely friendship in the cell they share. To escape their harsh reality, Molina conjures dazzling fantasies of glamorous movies, spinning tales of the seductive and dangerous Spider Woman.
As their conditions worsen and the line between truth and fiction blurs, the two men find a deeper connection – one that could cost them everything.
Based on the novel by Manuel Puig and adapted for the stage by Terrence McNally, the 1993 Broadway production of Kiss of the Spider Woman received seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.
Joining George Blagden as Valentin and Anna-Jane Casey as Aurora is rising star Fabian Soto Pacheco (Guys & Dolls and Dear Evan Hansen) as Molina, Gabriela Garcia (West Side Story) as Marta, Tori Blake Scott (Guys And Dolls) as Molina’s Mother, Jay Rincon (The Sea Horse) as the Warden and Damian Buhagiar (My Fair Lady) as the Guard. The company is completed by ensemble cast members Jess Buckby (Cruel Intentions), Alex Pinder (Fiddler On The Roof) and Davide Fienaur (White Christmas).
Fabian Soto Pacheco takes on the role of Molina from Layton Williams, who has withdrawn from the production.
Layton Williams said: “Walking away from this production was an incredibly tough decision, and not one I made lightly. What Director Paul Foster and the team are putting together is truly magical, but an opportunity arose that I simply couldn’t turn down.
“While I’m sad to be leaving the show, I know the production is going to be absolutely incredible, and I’m sending all my love to the company, including Fabian, who is going to make a remarkable Molina.
“Finally, I’d like to say a huge thank you to the teams at Curve, Bristol Old Vic, Mayflower Southampton, and everyone who has helped me navigate this situation. I’ll forever be indebted to you and hope we can collaborate again in the future.
“To everyone else: please make sure you book tickets to see Kiss of the Spider Woman! It really is going to be an unmissable show.”
Kiss of the Spider Woman is directed by Paul Foster, with choreographer Joanna Goodwin, set designer David Woodhead, Olivier and Tony Award-winning costume designer Gabriella Slade, Tony Award-winning orchestrator and arranger Sarah Travis, lighting designer Howard Hudson, sound designer Matt Peploe, and casting director Stuart Burt CDG.
Musicians for this Made at Curve production of Kiss of the Spider Woman are sponsored by music licensing company PPL.
Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, on behalf of the co-producers, said: “We are thrilled to share news of our full company for Kiss of the Spider Woman. Fabian Soto Pacheco joins Anna-Jane Casey and George Blagden to lead this beautiful show, a rare opportunity to see one of the great landmark Broadway musicals from Kander and Ebb.
“Acclaimed director Paul Foster and his team have brought together a phenomenal company and whilst we are sorry to see Layton leave the production, we wish him every continued success. Layton has enjoyed a long relationship with our audiences and we very much look forward to welcoming him back to Curve in the future.
“In the meantime, we are proud to share this extraordinary production with audiences in Leicester, Bristol and Southampton”
Tickets for Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 June 2026) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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