MANUEL PUIG (1932-1990) was an Argentinian playwright, novelist and screenwriter. He won major international prizes for his novels which have been published in at least fourteen languages. His works include the semi-autobiographical La Traicin de Rita Hayworth (Betrayed by Rita Hayworth), Boquitas Pintadas (Heartbreak Tango), Sangre de Amour Correspondido (Blood of Requited Love) and Misterio del Ramo de Rosas (Mystery of the Rose Bouquet) presented in London 1987; but he is probably best remembered for Kiss of the Spider Woman (El Beso de la Mujer Araña), first published in 1976.