KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN
A Curve, Bristol Old Vic and Mayflower Southampton co-production
Directed by Paul Foster
Opens at Curve, Leicester from 3 April 2026Press Night | Wednesday 8 April 2026, 7pm – Curve, Leicester
Producers Curve, Bristol Old Vic and Mayflower Southampton have today revealed Layton Williams and George Blagden will join the cast of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s ground-breaking musical, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, as prisoners Molina and Valentin.
Layton Williams will play Molina. Williams made his West End debut at the age of 12 when he starred as Billy in BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL. He has since become a permanent fixture of stage and screen and earlier this year won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his part in TITANIQUE. In 2023 he reached the final of BBC’s STRICTLY COME DANCING. Layton’s TV credits include BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (BBC), THE CLEANER (BBC, I HATE SUZIE (Sky), BENIDORM (ITV) and BAD EDUCATION (BBC). He’ll soon appear in PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION and GEEK GIRL on Netflix. On stage, Layton’s credits include KISS ME, KATE (Sheffield Crucible), HAIRSPRAY (UK Tour), THE CAR MAN and LORD OF THE FLIES in Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures company (Sadlers Wells) and his West End credits include THRILLER LIVE (Lyric Theatre), RENT (The Other Palace), EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE (Apollo and UK and Ireland tour) and CABARET (Kit Kat Club).
George Blagden will play Valentin. Blagden is best known for roles including Louis XIV in VERSAILLES (BBC) and Athelstan in VIKINGS (Amazon Prime). His TV and film credits also include LES MISERABLES (Working Title/Universal Pictures), BLACK MIRROR (Netflix) and WRATH OF THE TITANS (Warner Bros.). Blagden’s numerous West End credits include playing Valentine White in THE CABINET MINISTER at The Menier Chocolate Factory, PJ in COMPANY at the Gielgud Theatre and Damis in TARTUFFE at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. His stage credits also include WHITE CHRISTMAS (Sheffield Crucible), PLATINUM (Hampstead Theatre) and THE PITCHFORK DISNEY (Shoreditch Town Hall).
Williams and Blagden join the previously announced Anna-Jane Casey (CABARET, The Kit Kat Club, MOTHER GOOSE, UK and Ireland tour, GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, Gielgud Theatre) who plays Aurora, the legendary actress who embodies the Spider Woman of Molina’s fantasies.
Curve, Bristol Old Vic and Mayflower Southampton’s co-production of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN is the first major UK revival of the musical since 1992. The production will be directed by Paul Foster (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Watermill Theatre and KISS ME, KATE, Sheffield Crucible) and will run in Curve’s Studio Theatre 3 to 25 April, at Bristol Old Vic 29 April to 16 May and at Mayflower Studios 2 to 6 June.
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 soon.
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, with Choreographer Joanna Goodwin (MY FAIR LADY, Curve), Set Designer David Woodhead (TITANIC, UK and international tours, ABIGAIL’S PARTY, Curve), Olivier and Tony Award-winning Costume Designer Gabriella Slade (SIX THE MUSICAL), Tony Award-winning Orchestrator and Arranger Sarah Travis (MISS 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), Sound Designer Matt Peploe (ROBIN HOOD, London Palladium, INDIGO, Curve) and Casting Director Stuart Burt CDG (SUNSET BOULEVARD, Savoy Theatre and St James Theatre, CABARET, Kit Kat Club). Further casting will be announced in due course.
Musicians for this Made at Curve production of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN are sponsored by music licensing company PPL.
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN runs at Curve 3 to 25 April 2026. Tickets are available to book now on www.curveonline.co.uk, calling 0116 242 3595 or by visiting Curve’s Box Office in-person.
For tickets at Bristol Old Vic visit https://bristololdvic.org.uk/
For tickets at Mayflower Southampton visit https://www.mayflower.org.uk/
Curve
60 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1SB
X: @CurveLeicester Facebook: /CURVEtheatreLeicester Instagram: @Curve_LeicesterTikTok: @CurveLeicesterYouTube: @curvetheatre
About Layton Williams
Layton Williams was born in Bury, Manchester and he began his career at the age of 12 playing the title role of Billy in the West End production of BILLY ELLIOT. He made his debut TV appearance as Kylie in the BBC comedy BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.
Layton recently won Best Supporting Actor in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for his hilarious performance in the West End’s TITANIQUE. Last year, Layton also starred on the West End playing the iconic Emcee in London’s seven-time Olivier Award winning CABARET, for which he has since received two Black British Theatre Award nominations. Other theatre credits include Jamie in EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE (Apollo Theatre, UK/international tour); Paul in KISS ME, KATE (Sheffield Crucible); Seaweed in HAIRSPRAY! (2018 UK Tour); Angel in RENT (London/UK Tour); THE CAR MAN (Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures); Simon in THE LORD OF THE FLIES (Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures) and Young Michael in THRILLER LIVE! (West End).
It has just been announced that Layton will take a role in series 2 of the global Netflix hit GEEK GIRL, based on internationally bestselling novels by Holly Smale. Layton will also soon be seen starring in Chris Cottam’s upcoming movie THE LIGHT FANTASTIC about a thirty-something gay firefighter who dreams of becoming a professional ballroom dancer. He has also recently been seen reprising his iconic role of Stephen in BAD EDUCATION on BBC One and as the narrator of hit BBC Three LGBTQ+ dating show, I KISSED A BOY. Other recent TV roles include parts in Billie Piper’s BAFTA-nominated I HATE SUZIE, Greg Davies’ THE CLEANER, Johnny Vegas’s MURDER, THEY HOPE and ITV’s popular BENIDORM. Film credits include: ROCKETMAN; THE BAD EDUCATION MOVIE; EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE.
Earlier last year he also toured his dance extravaganza, LAYTON & NIKITA: LIVE with Strictly Come Dancing partner Nikita Kuzmin, after wowing audiences and becoming a finalist on the show in 2023. Layton is the director of ‘Pros from The Shows’ which provides high quality workshops for young performers. They have reached thousands of students across the country hoping to inspire the next generation and nurture talent. A regular supporter of the charities Stonewall and Ditch the Label, Layton regularly visits schools and makes speeches at events to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues and bullying. Layton recently won the Culture Award at this year’s Attitude Awards, having also picked up the LGBTQIA+ Champion Award at the Black British Theatre Awards in 2020.
About George Blagden
Theatre credits include: THE CABINET MINISTER (Menier Chocolate Factory), WHITE CHRISTMAS (Sheffield Theatres), COMPANY (Gielgud Theatre), TARTUFFE (Theatre Royal Haymarket), PLATINUM (Hampstead Theatre), and THE PITCHFORK DISNEY (Shoreditch Town Hall).
Television credits include: VIKINGS (as series regular Athelstan – Series Lead 1-3), VERSAILLES (as series regular Louis XIV – Series Lead 1-3) and BLACK MIRROR.
Film credits include: WRATH OF THE TITANS, THE RUN, BLOOD MOON, HELLO STRANGER, LES MISERABLES, NO POSTAGE NECESSARY, THE LAND OF DREAMS, THE GALLERY, RUBIKON, AFTER THE DARK, and The THREE OF US.
About Anna-Jane Casey
Anna-Jane Casey has been performing professionally for over 40 years in all areas of TV, theatre and music. She hails from Lancashire and came to London at 16 to play Rumpleteaser in CATS. She appeared in the original London casts of CHILDREN OF EDEN, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, OUT OF THE BLUE and GREASE. She played Buffy, Dinah and Pearl in STARLIGHT EXPRESS, Anita in WEST SIDE STORY, Velma Kelly in CHICAGO, Mickey in MY ONE AND ONLY and Frankie Frayne in ON YOUR TOES with Adam Cooper.
Anna-Jane played the title role in SWEET CHARITY at the Sheffield Crucible (Best Actress nomination at the 2003 TMA Awards), and was invited back to the Crucible to play the title role in Pam Gem’s PIAF. She played Dot in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE opposite Daniel Evans (Menier Chocolate Factory), and Maggie in HOBSON’S CHOICE at the Watermill in Newbury, having played Mabel in MACK AND MABEL there opposite David Soul (2005 TMA Award for Best Performance in a Musical).
She has played the title role in ALADDIN (Hackney Empire), Courtesan in COMEDY OF ERRORS (Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park), Ella Peterson in BELLS ARE RINGING at the Union Theatre (WOS nomination for Best Actress in a Musical and OFFIE nomination for Best Actress), Olive James in RADIO TIMES (Watermill Newbury), Jenny in COMPANY (Sheffield Crucible), Lady Of The Lake in SPAMALOT (The Playhouse Theatre), Mrs Wilkinson in BILLY ELLIOT (The Victoria Palace), FORBIDDEN BROADWAY (The Vaudeville Theatre and Menier Chocolate Factory), JERRY’S GIRLS (St James Theatre) and Lottie in MACK AND MABEL (UK and Ireland tour). During 2016, she played the role of Violet Butterfield in a new musical FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS (Sheffield Crucible), and she returned to the Crucible at Christmas 2016 to play the title role of Annie Oakley in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. She was part of the cast of STEPPING OUT (Vaudeville Theatre) playing the dance teacher Mavis Turner alongside Amanda Holden and Tracy-Ann Oberman, joined the UK and International tour of BILLY ELLIOT, to great acclaim and worked on the UK and Ireland tour of Tim Firth and Gary Barlow’s CALENDAR GIRLS playing the leading role of Annie Clarke.
2019 and early 2020 saw her at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto and then the Gielgud Theatre, London playing MRS BURKE in the West End revival of Conor McPhearson’s GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, a new play with music by Bob Dylan which she then followed up by playing ALICE in the award-winning STAGES at the Vaults Festival London. She could
be seen through the pandemic in THE BAND PLAYS ON, a new play with music, streamed online by the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
She originated the role of Fraulein Fritzie Kost in the award winning production of CABARET at the KitKat Club/Playhouse Theatre alongside Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley and from there, went onto play Cilla Quack, the goose that lays the golden eggs, to Sir Ian McKellen’s MOTHER GOOSE at the Duke of York’s Theatre and across the UK, winning the 2023 British Pantomime Award for Best Supporting Artist.
In 2024, she played the iconic Sybil Fawlty in the sell-out run of FAWLTY TOWERS at the Apollo Theatre and 2025 will see her singing with the BBC Big Band for Radio 2, the Ulster Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Opera Company.
Previous TV and film credits include :FAMILY GUY (Stewie’s British Mother), AMY in THE ROYAL, (Granada Television), SHIRLEY WALKER in DOCTORS (BBC), BEYOND THE SEA directed by Kevin Spacey, SOPHIE in EASTENDERS (BBC), GERI in CORONATION STREET (ITV) and LINDA KEMP in THE BILL and VANESSA LLOYD in SILENT WITNESS (BBC). She has also filmed guest lead roles in HEARTBEAT (Yorkshire Television) and HOLBY CITY (BBC), and has appeared on BBC Proms Extra with Katie Derham.
Other credits include: Anna-Jane Casey has sung all over the world with orchestras such as The Halle, The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, The RTE National Orchestra of Ireland, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Teatro Massimo orchestra of Palermo and The BBC Concert Orchestra. She was a principal soloist at the 2010 RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN PROM with the John Wilson Orchestra and joined them again, along with Sir Michael Parkinson, Curtis Stigers and Seth Macfarlane, for BBC’s HOLLYWOOD SWINGING CHRISTMAS 2010, and 2012 saw her star again with John Wilson’s orchestra in the BROADWAY SOUND PROM. She regularly tours with the orchestra, also appears in her own cabaret show both national and internationally and is a regular guest soloist on FRIDAY NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT on BBC Radio 2.
About Curve
Curve is an award-winning producing theatre with a commitment to ensuring as many people as possible can access great art and culture. Each year, almost 1.9million people engage with Curve through performances in Leicester, across the UK and internationally. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Curve has developed an international reputation for producing, presenting and touring a bold and diverse slate of musicals, plays, new work, and dance, which sits alongside a vibrant community and learning programme.
Recent Made at Curve productions and co-productions include: Muriel’s Wedding; My Fair Lady; The Mountaintop; A Chorus Line; My Beautiful Laundrette; Evita; The Owl Who Came For Christmas; Billy Elliot The Musical; Ride; Finding Home – Leicester’s Ugandan Asian Story At 50; The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber; Giraffes Can’t Dance and West Side Story. Streamed productions include The Color Purple and Sunset Boulevard.
Recent Curve on Tour and West End productions include: Lost Atoms; Kinky Boots (UK and Ireland tour; European tour), Last year’s underpants (UK tour); A Chorus Line (Sadler’s Wells and UK & Japan tours); The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium, UK and Ireland tour); Sister Act (Eventim Apollo, UK and Ireland tours); Grease (Dominion Theatre and UK tours); 42nd Street (Sadler’s Wells, UK tour and Toronto); White Christmas (Dominion Theatre and UK tours); On Your Feet! (London Coliseum and UK tour) and The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ – The Musical (Chocolate Factor and The Ambassadors Theatre); An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical; Cat On A Hot Tin Roof; Metamorphosis; The Color Purple; Beautiful – The Carole King Musical; Sunset Boulevard (UK and Ireland tours) and The Jungle Book (UK and International tours).
Curve is supported using public funding by principal funder Arts Council England.
About Bristol Old Vic
Bristol Old Vic is the UK’s longest continuously running theatre and has welcomed millions of people through its doors since opening nearly 260 years ago. Led by Executive Director Charlotte Geeves and Artistic Director Nancy Medina, the organisation is committed to platforming and creating opportunities for the multitude of stories that Bristol and the UK have to offer. From its extensively redeveloped building in the Old City, Bristol Old Vic offers a year-round programme of inspiring, original new work; one of UK theatre’s biggest learning and engagement programmes; and one of the UK’s leading artist development programmes. Plus, through Bristol Old Vic On Screen, audiences across the world have seen its productions live or on demand. “We will make a theatre which is for our whole community. Not a passive place but one of activism. Not one voice but many. We will ask questions of ourselves and of Bristol. We invite you to come on in and help us make this building sing with possibility.” Nancy Medina. Artistic Director.bristololdvic.org.uk
About Mayflower Southampton
Mayflower, Southampton is comprised of Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios. Mayflower Theatre is the largest presenting theatre on the South Coast and is a charitable trust which was set up in 1986 when the Gaumont Theatre was threatened with closure. The theatre reopened in 1987, renamed Mayflower Theatre, and has become one of the most successful independent theatres in the UK with a capacity of 2,270. Mayflower Studios opened in May 2021 in the city’s cultural quarter and is an arts complex comprising of a 450 seat theatre and a 130 seat flexible studio.
Under the leadership of Chief Executive Michael Ockwell, over 550,000 annually attend performances across both venues and a further 40,000 take part in the community and outreach programme.
Mayflower were Associate Producers on Music & Lyrics production of Fiddler on the Roof directed by Craig Revel-Horwood and starring Paul Michael-Glaser, the Leicester Curve production of Beautiful with Theatre Royal Bath, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Crossroads Productions and Titanic the Musical tours in 2018 and 2023 directed by Thom Southerland. They also produced the mid-scale tour of The Santa Trap and Here Be Monsters in association with Belfield Slater Productions and Sizwe Banzi is Dead with John Pfumojena.
Their co-production of Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World with Kenny Wax Family Entertainment had its world premiere at Mayflower Studios and went on to win the UK Theatre Award for Best Family Entertainment. They co-produced Frantic Assembly’s Metamorphosis, and in 2024 co-produced The Lion Inside and Coming to England with Nicoll Entertainment, and The Mountaintop with Leicester Curve.
They also produce their own Christmas Productions in Mayflower Studios which include Peter Pan; An Awfully Big Musical Adventure, Second Star to the Right, Alice; A Musical Adventure in Wonderland, A Christmas Carol, Down the Rabbit Hole, Counting Down to Christmas and The Wind in the Willows: Toad’s Musical Adventure.
In summer 2025 they produced a new musical about Jane Austen called The Last Rose of Summer written by Daisy Chute and Rebecca Brewer, recipients of the Cameron Mackintosh Composer in Residence Award and celebrated their 12th Summer Youth Project with a production of Grease featuring a cast of 150 local young people.
In 2025, Mayflower have co-produced Spitfire Girls with Tilted Wig, Lost Atoms with Frantic Assembly, The Koala Who Could with Rose Theatre, Kingston and The Pianist with Wolk Transfer. They are co-producers on Curve’s Kiss of the Spider Woman with Bristol Old Vic which will tour in 2026.