KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN. To 29 May.

b>Southampton

KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN
by Manuel Puig, translated by Alan Barker

Nuffield Theatre To 29 May 2004
Runs 2hr 20min One interval

TICKETS: 023 8067 1771
tickets@nuffieldtheatre.co.uk
Review Hazel Brown 26 May 2004

Tender love story in squalid circumstancesAn ill-sorted pair of prisoners, a young man imprisoned for his political activities and a middle-aged gay man inside for gross indecency, find a way to survive in a squalid and corrupt prison. From this unpromising beginning, a tender love story gradually emerges.

David Alcock performs the part of Molina, the gay man, with a fine restraint, effeminate, but certainly not the screaming queen' that the character disparages. He is refined and careful of his personal appearance and hygiene, fastidiously changing his shirt and slipping into a sarong to reinforce his femininity. His bed is always neatly made. Valentin, by contrast, is rough, untidy and vital. Phillip Edgerley is prickly and assertive, but gradually, with touching vulnerability, he starts to depend on and trust Molina.

Whilst Valentin tries to keep up his political studies, reading from his little red book, he finds the escapist stories that Molina weaves irresistible these are based on films he has seen, particularly one about a Panther Woman. The story of this film neatly parallels their own relationship. As they discuss the relationships between the characters in the story, they reveal truths about their own lives and natures to one another. In particular, Molina describes how men like him wish to become the wife of a real' man. By the end of the play, he has achieved his dream. However, he is playing a dangerous game.

This fine production explores the situation and relationship with tender care and, even in the more shocking scenes, is never prurient. However, I am not sure why, I found myself at some distance from the characters. Perhaps the staging, almost in the round, meant that often all I saw of Molina was his back and perhaps the handling of this sensitive material was just too reverential.

Molina: David Alcock
Valentin: Phillip Edgerley

Director: Robin Belfield
Lighting: Pete Gibson
Sound: Tony Barnes

2004-05-29 00:32:35