The new UK production of Kander and Ebb’s groundbreaking Broadway musical Kiss of the Spider Woman has announced full casting for the show.
Kiss of the Spider Woman will premiere at the Curve in Leicester from 3 to 25 April 2026, before heading to the Bristol Old Vic from 29 April to 16 May, and the Southampton Mayflower from 2 to 6 June. The show is a co-production between the three venues.
Olivier Award winner Layton Williams (Titanique, Strictly Come Dancing) had been announced to play Molina, but is no longer in the show.
Williams is replaced by Fabian Soto Pacheco (Guys and Dolls) as Molina (main photo, far right).
Casting already announced includes Anna-Jane Casey (Cabaret, Billy Elliot) as Aurora, and George Blagden (The Cabinet Minister, Company) as Valentin.
Layton Williams said in a statement that walking away from this production was “an incredibly tough decision, and not one I made lightly”, but that “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.”
The cast of Kiss of the Spider Woman
- Anna-Jane Casey as Aurora
- George Blagden as Valentin
- Fabian Soto Pacheco as Molina
- Gabriela Garcia (West Side Story) as Marta
- Tori Scott (Guys & Dolls) as Molina’s Mother
- Jay Rincon (Barcelona) as the Warden
- Damian Buhagiar (My Fair Lady) as the Guard
- The ensemble features: Jess Buckby (Crruel Intentions), Alex Pinder (Fiddler on the Roof) and Davide Fienauri (White Christmas)
The cast of Kiss of the Spider Woman
What is Kiss of the Spider Woman about? Set 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.
More about the show
- This new production of Kiss of the Spider Woman is directed by Paul Foster (A Little Night Music, Watermill Theatre).
- It is the first UK revival of the show since 1992.
- Kiss of the Spider Woman is based on the novel by Manuel Puig and adapted for the stage by Terrence McNally. The show boasts songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb.
- The original 1993 Broadway production scored seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.
- A new film adaptation of the musical directed by Bill Condon stars Jennifer Lopez.
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