Love Stories: Kiss of the Spider Woman

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Kiss of the Spider Woman

BBC Radio 4 - Love Stories, Kiss of the Spider Woman

Manuel Puig's classic stage play, translated by Allan Baker.

A redemptive love story between two prisoners, the apolitical window dresser Molina and the committed leftist guerrillero Valentin.

Valentin and Molina seemingly share little other than a prison cell. Through the glamorous fantasy of the movies, a deep bond is formed that offers both men the hope of survival. 

Valentin is a revolutionary Marxist imprisoned for his political actions, Molina a gay window dresser imprisoned for his sexuality. Sometimes they talk all night long. In the still darkness of their Buenos Aires cell, Molina re-weaves the glittering stories of the film he loves, and Valentin listens.  A tender relationship grows between them and they form a bond so intimate - and a relationship so profoundly affecting - that only the other can understand.

But Molina holds a secret - the promise of an early release if he can get his cellmate to talk. Will Molina turn informer or is he actually playing his own game at the expense of the authorities?

Set in Villa Devoto prison in Buenos Aires in 1975 during Argentina's Dirty War. 

Kiss of the Spider Woman is written by Manuel Puig and translated by Allan Baker

Molina.....Kadiff Kirwan
Valentin.....Alfred Enoch
Warden.....John Lightbody

The bolero song 'Mi Carta' by Mario Clavell was re-arranged by Jules Maxwell 

Sound design by Sharon Hughes

Produced and directed by Nadia Molinari

BBC Audio Drama North

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