Kiss of the Spider Woman

”…an assured new translation … Puig captures the oppressive nature of his native Argentina’s fascist regime as he delicately pits together the interests of two very different characters…” Ann McFerran, Time Out

“This is one of those rare plays that forces the viewer to re-examine clichés and facile preconceptions.” The Scotsman

”…beautifully translated by Allan Baker … stunning.” Jim Hiley, The Listener

“The title teases … but it hardly hints at the quality of this remarkable relationship between two men with almost nothing in common … what gives the play its ultimate enchantment is the delicacy of its faith that the bonds of human affection must triumph over the bondage of jail.” Eric Shorter, Daily Telegraph

“It comes as near to being about pure undiluted love as any play I’ve ever seen.”

The Sunday Times

Of the original book, now a queer classic:

‘A visionary work that breathed life into certain dimensions of human possibility long before society at large was prepared to imagine them.’ Carolina de Robertis, Los Angeles Review of Books

Manuel Puig (1932-1990)

Manuel Puig was an Argentinian playwright, novelist, and screenwriter. He received major international awards for his novels, which have been translated into at least fourteen languages. His notable works include the semi-autobiographical Betrayed by Rita Hayworth (La Traicin de Rita Hayworth), Heartbreak Tango (Boquitas Pintadas), Blood of Requited Love (Sangre de Amour Correspondido), and Mystery of the Rose Bouquet (Misterio del Ramo de Rosas), which was staged in London in 1987. However, he is perhaps most renowned for Kiss of the Spider Woman (El Beso de la Mujer Araña), first published in 1976.

Allan Baker (Translator)

Allan Baker studied Spanish and French at Cambridge. Kiss of the Spider Woman marked his debut as a translator. He also contributed to the adaptation and screenplay for Sparrow (Storia di una Capinera) (1993). His television credits include Dead Entry (1987), Aliens in the Family (1987), Just William (1994), and El Tránsfuga (2003).

Sally

Sally, a linguist by training and a dedicated researcher, finds that writing non-fiction allows her to merge her passion for storytelling with her interest in social history, drama, and film. She has authored several essays for Amber Lane Press and Supernova Books focusing on contemporary playwrights. An avid Arsenal supporter with an extensive collection of football literature, Sally considers the British Library her spiritual sanctuary.