A staged reading of the new political text-in-development by Ian Tucker. A fast thinking, fast talking political drama, "Black Prophet Down" is a new South African play, set in the United States of America, telling a story of global significance. Kim Kerfoot took his degree in Theatre and Performance from the University of Cape Town, specialising in Theatremaking. He graduated top of his class with distinction in 2007. While studying, he directed and co-created Hope Lies…which was performed at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, at the UCT Arena Theatre in Cape Town and at the Odin Teatret in Denmark. Since graduating Kim has worked with some of South Africa’s top companies and theatre practitioners including Mandla Mbothwe, Christopher Weare, Magnet Theatre, ZANews (the award-winning satirical puppet news program) and FTH:K (From The Hip: Khulumakhale is a multiple award-winning non-verbal, visual theatre company that integrates deaf and hearing artists). He has also presented original work as part of the Iqonga platform at the Out The Box Festival in 2008, 2010 and 2011, creating and performing in Left Inside, and creating and directing Lynchpin and Guillotine. In 2011 Kim received the Emerging Theatre Director’s Bursary and used it to stage Athol Fugard’s Statements After An Arrest Under The Immorality Act. The production received 5 star reviews as well as accolades from Athol Fugard himself, before transferring to the Fugard Theatre in early 2012, where it had a sold-out extended run. It was also a part of the critically acclaimed Assembly South African Season on the Edinburgh Fringe 2012. In March 2013 Kim received the Rosalie van der Gucht Prize for Best New Director at the Fleur Du Cap Theatre Awards for his direction of Statements. His subsequent direction of Fugard’s Master Harold and the Boys at the Fugard Theatre in March 2013 was equally well received. As part of his ongoing creative partnership with Jason Potgieter, Kim directed Potgieter’s The Things You Left Behind at the Intimate Theatre in December 2010, January 2012, and again at the South African National Arts Festival in July 2013 where it won one of only six Standard Bank Silver Ovation Awards. Kim’s production of Jon Keevy’s Get Kraken! also won a Standard Bank Ovation Award and was commended for innovation in physical theatre. In 2014Kim participated in the Director’s Lab at the Lincoln Center, and devised and directed the play Inherent End in London with Tamarin McGinley. In 2015 Inherent End had a successful season at the Alexander Upstairs Theatre in Cape Town.

Audience Responses

I enjoyed this a lot. Satirical about both SA and US politics with some dramatic tension, and insights. A fully-realised production could possibly make use of projections, video etc? As it stands, it's really more of a radio play. Brendon Daniels gave an impressive Obama reading! Thanks again.