Kiss of the Spider Woman Announced as Part of Bristol Old Vic Spring 26 Season

Bristol Old Vic today announced it will be co-producing a revival of an iconic Kander and Ebb musical Kiss of the Spider Woman in Spring 2026 with Leicester’s Curve theatre and Mayflower Southampton.

This brand-new production of Kander and Ebb’s ground-breaking Broadway musical is the first major UK revival since 1992. Directed by Paul Foster (who is directing this year's Bristol Old Vic Christmas production Treasure Island) Kiss of the Spider Woman, will run in Curve’s Studio Theatre 3 – 25 April, at Bristol Old Vic 29 April – 16 May and at Mayflower Studios 2 – 6 June. Tickets will go on sale for the Bristol Old Vic run in September 2025.
 
Initial casting has also today been announced, as it is revealed Anna-Jane Casey will star as Aurora, the legendary actress who plays the Spider Woman. With a career spanning over four decades, Casey’s previous credits include the original revival cast of Caberet (The Kit Kat Club), the UK and Ireland tour of Mother Goose, Girl from the North Country (Gielgud Theatre) and Billy Elliott (Victoria Palace).
 
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. A new film adaptation of the musical, starring Jennifer Lopez, will be released later this year.

Image - Bristol Old Vic

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.

Kiss of the Spider Woman is directed by Paul Foster (A Little Night Music, Watermill Theatre and Kiss Me, Kate, Sheffield Crucible), with Choreographer Joanna Goodwin (My Fair Lady, Curve), Set Designer David Woodhead (Titanic, UK and international tours, Abigail's Party, Curve), Tony Award-winning Orchestrator and Arranger Sarah Travis (iss Littlewood, RSC, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, An Officer and a Gentleman, both at Curve and on UK tour), Lighting Designer Howard Hudson (Starlight Express, Troubadour Theatre, A Chorus Line, Curve) and Casting Director Stuart Burt CDG (Caberet, Kit Kat Club). Further cast and creative team members will be announced in due course.
 
Kiss of the Spider Woma is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk