Kiss of the Spider Woman

Synopsis

Under an authoritarian regime, Molina and Valentin are imprisoned in a South American jail. Despite their differences, they come to depend on one another and friendship develops. Powerful, lyrical and compelling, 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' examines friendship on many levels as both characters struggle with the uncertainties of truth and falsehood, friendship and betrayal, against a background of cruelty, torture and disappearances.

Our Review:

11 June 2010

Phillip Witcomb’s set design, with its condensation damp walls and sparse rigidity, is oppressive and intimate. The atmosphere of the Argentinean prison cell in which the action takes place emanates thickly into the auditorium. I am impressed by the striking immediacy of the dire circumstances for this play’s central characters.

Valentin, a young Marxist idealist, is incarcerated due to his political views. He is forced to share a cell with Molina, a romantic fantasist, condemned for his sexuality. At first, the two very different men learn to tolerate each other. As time passes they become mutually dependent until eventually their two worlds converge, and they find themselves deeply connected. However, all is not what it seems. Molina is at the mercy of the prison authorities having agreed that he will inform on Valentin in exchange for a pardon.

To pass the time Molina enacts one of his favourite movies. The story within a story is a device which serves multiple purpo...

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Latest User Review

Paul - 22 June 2010:

Fantastic performances from both the actors....

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