On stage: Kiss of the Spider Woman, Baxter Theatre, Cape Town June 5-19, 2021

What: Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig When: June 5-19, 2021 at 7pm with 2pm matinees on Saturday Where: The Baxter Golden Arrow Studio Director: Sylvaine Strike Cast: Mbulelo Grootboom, Wessel Pretorius Lighting design: Mannie Manim Set and costume design: Wolf Britz Music: Brendan Jury Tickets: R170 (Mondays to Wednesdays) to R200 (Thursdays to Saturdays) from Webtickets  Age restriction: No under 15 years

Manuel Puig’s play, Kiss of the Spider Woman was written in 1976, in Spanish as a novel, novel El beso de la mujer araña (Kiss of the Spider Woman). “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.” The novel was translated into English by Allan Baker. The English language version play – was staged in London in 1985. Leonard Schrader adapted the novel for the film version in 1985. The film starred William Hurt and Raul Julia. There was also a stage musical, adapted from the novel. Award winning South African director, Sylvaine Strike is bringing this acclaimed play to the Baxter- with a superb cast and creative team. Mbulelo Grootboom plays Valentin and Wessel Pretorius plays Molina. Looking at Oscar O’Ryan’s press pics and one is drawn into the energy bteween these artists. Strike brings her own vision to each play that she stages. She does not present cookie-cutter versions of other productions. Expect to be wowed by this accomplished director and dream team cast and creative team.

Covid protocols apply – limited seating, sanitising, track and trace forms to fill out – so arrive early to check in and have temperature checked etc.

✳ Pics: Mbulelo Grootboom as Valentin and Wessel Pretorius as Molina. Photos by Oscar O’Ryan.