Manuel Puig’s modern classic at the Baxter

Mbulelo Grootboom and Wessel Pretorius in Kiss of the Spider Woman. PICTURE: Fiona McPherson

Manuel Puig’s Kiss of the Spider Woman runs at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio from Wednesday March 9 to Saturday March 26 at 7.30pm, with Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.

Written by Puig in 1976 in Spanish, Kiss of the Spider Woman, was translated into English by Allan Baker. The play captured the attention of audiences for its romantic drama, political outcry and post-modern style portrayed through its two characters, Molina and Valentin.

Adapted for the stage in 1983, Kiss of the Spider Woman was postponed in June 2021 due to strict Covid-19 lockdown restrictions at the time.

The production is directed by Sylvaine Strike with Mbulelo Grootboom as Valentin and Wessel Pretorius as Molina.

The plot follows two cellmates who pass their time in a prison, by remembering and reinventing classics of the silver screen. What at first seems to be a simple and straightforward – if not casual – story of two people who appear to be opposites (the romantic and the revolutionary), instead reveals a story of political intrigue and double-crossing. There is an age restriction of 15 years.

Tickets cost R170 for Monday to Wednesday shows and R200 for Thursday to Saturday shows.

Booking is through Webtickets or at Pick n Pay stores.