Louis Viljoen to Bring New Play THE KINGMAKERS to Alexander Upstairs Theatre, Aug 25-Sept 13

Louis Viljoen's ruthless new play THE KINGMAKERS is to be staged at the Alexander Upstairs theatre. The dark political comedy will make its debut in one of Cape Town's best independent theatre spaces, The Alexander Upstairs, and will run 25th August to 13th September, 2014.

THE KINGMAKERS follows a group of opposition-party strategists as they attempt to place a neutral party member in contention for leadership. After an internal power struggle leaves them out in the cold and on the fringes of the party, they come up with a plan to shape a seemingly ambition-less, but well-respected politician into a leader. With the help of a rising corporation seeking political clout and possible government contracts, the stage is set for a merciless power grab and perhaps a chance at revenge.

Set in the familiar world of skullduggery, backstabbing, one-upmanship, disloyalty, blackmail and profiteering otherwise known as South African politics, THE KINGMAKERS sees its three heroes spend their days making sure the system works for no one except the lucky few or the ones who can afford to do as they please. But after years of working in the dark and the cold, financially speaking, they conspire to get something for themselves, whether it be gold or power. Preferably both. Never mind the body count.

This pitch-black comedy is written and directed by Viljoen, the award winning writer of the critically acclaimed plays CHAMP and THE FRONTIERSMEN. Viljoen has worked as a writer, director and producer in theatre, film and television for twelve years. He has also co-produced (with Greg Karvellas) the plays ROCKS, THE ABUSERS, THE BILE BOYS and THE VERBALISTS. CHAMP was produced by Artscape and won him the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for Best New South African Script and was subsequently invited to participate in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

THE KINGMAKERS stars Brendon Daniels, Pierre Malherbe and Rebecca Makin-Taylor.

Daniels left the corporate world in 2005 to pursue a full-time acting career and has since appeared in numerous films, television shows and theatrical productions. In 2014 he won the Fleur Du Cap for Best Actor for his work in ROOILAND, directed by Jaco Bouwer, who had previously directed him in DIE GENERAAL as well as more recently in the hit production BALBESIT. Daniels appeared in Nicola Hanekom's site specific productions LOT and BABBEL for which he and the plays received immense critical acclaim.

Malherbe is an actor, writer and comedian who studied drama at the University Of Cape Town and has worked in theatre, film and television since graduating in 1993. He has acted in numerous plays, including BEAUTIFUL THING, THE JUDAS KISS,THE GRADUATE, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, UNDER THE OAKS, NOISES OFF, MAYBE SUNSHINE UP AHEAD, THE TENT, THE QUIET VIOLENCE OF DREAMS and KING LEAR. He worked with Viljoen on the award winning CHAMP and was most recently seen in the acclaimed productions SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO and URBAN DEATH. Pierre has written and performed three one-man comedy stage shows:DUNCAN FARENHEIT'S ACOUSTIC JAM SANDWICH, DUNCAN FAHRENHEIT AND THE LANK TIRED OKES and ANOTHER FRIGGIN' TRIBUTE SHOW.

Makin-Taylor graduated from UCT with a BA in Theatre and Performance and a distinction in acting. Makin-Taylor is a recipient of the Yvonne Banning Memorial Award for Voice and made her professional theatre debut in 2012 when she appeared in Viljoen's THE VERBALISTS. She went on to perform in a one woman show called EXPECTANT, written and directed by Penny Younglesson, which received a Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2013 National Arts Festival, showed in Amsterdam at the MC Theatre as part of the 2013 AfroVibes festival and at The Market Theatre in January 2014. In June 2014, Rebecca performed in another one woman show called LAST ROUNDS, written and directed by Tara Notcutt, which had a run at the Alexander Bar in Cape Town before going on to the NAF as part of the Cape Town Edge as well as a run in Johannesburg as part of the 969 festival at Wits University.

THE KINGMAKERS runs from 25th August to 13th September at the Alexander Bar in Strand Street. Tickets cost R90 - R100, and are available online at the Alexander Bar website or through 021 300 1088.

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