An intense performance is assured when the Brewery Theatre Company's latest production, Kiss of the Spider Woman, begins a three-night run on Thursday, February 17, at the Kendal arts centre.

A cast of two will perform Manuel Puig's moving story about a pair of prisoners and the relationship that is forged from the confines of their small cell.

Kiss of the Spider Woman is the powerful story of what happens when Molina, a gay window dresser who is serving a sentence for improper behaviour, and Valentin, a Marxist revolutionary, are thrown together to live within four bleak prison walls.

Molina, played by Kendal's Simon Mackereth, attempts to pass the time and ease the pain of Valentin, played by John Halden, from Ambleside, still bleeding from his torturous interrogation, by describing his favourite movie stories.

Despite the gaping differences between the pair, their predicament draws them into a deep friendship which is tested when Molina is bribed by his captors with the promise of an early release is he can get his cellmate to reveal the names of his colleagues.

Director Lynne Gibbons, whose last production was the sell-out Abigail's Party, said the intimate set and closeness of the audience presented an enjoyable challenge.

"It is wonderful to work on this play although it is hard for the actors who have obviously had a huge amount to do.

"But they are brilliant. We're really pleased with the way it is coming together."

The production, in the round', will be the second performance in a row for cast members Simon Mackereth and John Halden, who began rehearsals just weeks after performing together in Oh, What a Lovely War.

And appearing in a play with a strong content in front of a home crowd will make it all the more intense, said John.

"We're looking forward to experiencing the closeness of the audience on both sides of the set. There's really nowhere and no-one to hide behind, so there has to be a lot of trust between us.

"But the relationship which develops between the two characters, who are really on opposite sides of the spectrum, is challenging and fascinating, and it has been great to work alongside Lynne."

Tickets for the performance, on Thursday, February 17, Friday 18 and Saturday 19, are available from the box office on 01539-725133, priced at £6.