Landmark Broadway musical from legendary duo comes to Leicester

Kiss of the Spider Woman, by John Kander and Fred Ebb, begins n a brutal prison, where 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 received seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.

George Blagden will play Valentin. Blagden is best known for roles including Louis XIV in Versailles (BBC) and Athelstan in Vikings (Amazon Prime). His TV and film credits also include Les Miserables (Working Title/Universal Pictures), Black Mirror (Netflix) and Wrath Of The Titans (Warner Bros.).

Anna-Jane Casey (Cabaret, The Kit Kat Club, Mother Goose, Uk and Ireland tour, Girl From The North Country, Gielgud Theatre) plays Aurora, the legendary actress who embodies the Spider Woman of Molina’s fantasies.

Fabian Soto Pacheco (Dear Evan Hansen, Guys & Dolls) plays Molina, Gabriela Garcia (West Side Story, Royal Exchange Manchester) is Marta, Tori Scott (Guys & Dolls, The Bridge Theatre) is Molina’s Mother, Jay Rincon is the Warden and Damian Buhagiar (My Fair Lady, Curve) is the Guard. The company is completed by ensemble cast members Jess Buckby (Cruel Intentions, The Other Palace), Alex Pinder (Fiddler On The Roof, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Davide Fienauri (White Christmas, Curve).

Fabian Soto Pacheco takes on the role of Molina from the previously announced Layton Williams, who has withdrawn from the production.

Layton Williams, an acclaimed stage performer who reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023, 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.”

In a joint statement, Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster called the show “beautiful” and said the production is “a rare opportunity to see one of the great landmark Broadway musicals from Kander and Ebb.”

Kiss Of The Spider Woman runs at Curve from April 3 to 25. Visit curveonline.co.uk or call 0116 242 3595 to book.