Debut David Cornwall Play WHITE ELEPHANT to Make Bow at Alexander Upstairs

WHITE ELEPHANT is a study of contemporary South African malaise, framed by the story of Issy and Ma: a mother and daughter who each seek, in their own peculiar way, to do the impossible and kindle a future from the dying embers of their past.

WHITE ELEPHANT is a debut play-text by novelist David Cornwell, directed by the award-winning Philip Rademeyer, and starring Fleur Du Cap-nominated Bo Petersen and Naledi-nominated Danieyella Rodin. The hour-long production tells the funny, shocking story of a troubled mother-daughter relationship: two women frustrated by great expectations, and by memories of a life that is beyond their present means.

When Issy arrives at her family flat in the dead of night, having run away from her abusive husband, she expects to return to the benefits of home: familiar objects, love, and support for her fledgling business enterprise. However, it immediately becomes clear to her that things have changed-the house is nearly empty, and Ma is in a strange mood. The old fault lines in their relationship quickly reopen and, fueled by a night of excess, the two are forced, finally, to confront the reality of their family's situation.

An urban South African gothic tale told by an award-winning team, WHITE ELEPHANT is a critical examination of entitlement, a study of decaying decadence and the lengths people will go to protect the last vestiges of their status.

Philip Rademeyer is a writer, director and co-founder of the award-winning theatre collective, Rust Co-Operative. His work, known for its engagement with social and political issues, has won international and local awards and nominations, most notably at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, the National Arts Festival, Amsterdam Fringe Festival, Clover Aardklop Festival, and the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards. His work has shown at the Artscape and Market Theatres, and at various festivals and independent venues across South Africa. THE VIEW and SIEMBAMBA showed in Dublin and Amsterdam respectively, while THE VIEW and ASHES were published by Junkets Publisher. Most recently, THE GRAVEYARD received a Standard Bank Silver Ovation Award at NAF, and Rademeyer was an ImpACT Award Finalist for Theatre in 2016.

David Cornwell lives in Salt River and writes fiction, films and songs for the rock band KRAAL. His debut novel LIKE IT MATTERS was published by Umuzi in April 2016 to wide critical acclaim. WHITE ELEPHANT is his first play.

Danieyella Rodin has been acting professionally since the beginning of 2011. She studied her undergraduate degree in performance at Rhodes University and then her honours at the Univrsity of Cape Town in 2010. She has performed in Guy De Lancey's production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM for The Mechanicals and in The Chaeli Campaign's IN THE WINGS alongside Bo Peterson, which earned her a Naledi Award nomination for Best Newcomer in 2012. Other credits include THE TREATMENT and DIRTY WORDS. She is also the frontwoman of Cape Town rock band KRAAL.

Bo Petersen has been involved in the performing arts for over 38 years. She was fortunate to have Barney Simon, the late artistic director of The Market Theatre, as one of her mentors. As a result, her interest in developing South African theatre and talent remains a passion. Recent credits include Athol Fugard's STATEMENTS AFTER AN ARREST UNDER THE IMMORALITY ACT (Fleur du Cap Theatre Award nomination for Best Actress), IN THE WINGS, VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE and THE GRAVEYARD. Although best known as an actor, on stage, television and film, but has developed a real love for directing and has worked with - amongst others - Jonathan Nkala on COCKROACH, Warrick Grier on BLACKBIRD and Graham Weir on DEAD YELLOW SANDS.

WHITE ELEPHANT runs at the Alexander Upstairs from 21 November - 3 December. Tickets cost R80-R90 and can be booked online at the Alexander Bar website or purchased at the bar. For telephone bookings and enquiries, call 021 300 1652. Alexander Bar & Café is situated at 76 Strand Street in the Cape Town city centre and can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

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