WITH any election, there isn’t just the build-up to the result but the fall-out too – the shuffling of chairs and ins and outs of government office.

This year’s Fringe sees a show that, even a clear fortnight after the election result, is likely to resonate with politically-attuned audiences.

Kingmaker, a satirical play by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky, draws parallels with the fortunes of London Mayor Boris Johnson but it may well chime with those keeping an eye on the long and drawn-out leadership battles within the Labour party and the Lib Dems – both still to decide on who will front them.

The writers of previous Edinburgh Fringe hits Coalition and Making News have teamed up with the actor Alan Cox to present this tale of political intrigue, gamesmanship and ambition in the corridors of power.

Mr Salinsky, one of the writers, told The Argus: “We wrote the play last year with pretty much this exact political landscape in mind.

“Even so, we didn’t foresee three simultaneous leadership contests within opposition parties.”

His story tells of a fictional yet strangely familiar political figure whose bumbling bonhomie disguises a fierce determination and a heart of steel.

Last summer, The Times, reviewing the play during its Edinburgh run, implied that London mayor Boris Johnson was thought to disapprove of it, albeit quoting a friend of his.

In the play, former Mayor of London Max Newman is a seasoned politician, scruffy, energetic, seemingly chaotic immensely charming and very ambitious. And as the top job becomes vacant, Max knows his time may well have come.

Set in a stuffy office in the House of Commons in a time quite close to the present, the writers believe it takes a sly satirical look at the ruthless game of politics.

Mr Salinsky added: “It’s likely our next prime minister will be decided by the Tory party machine and not the electorate.

“That was our starting point – how few people can choose a prime minister? A hundred? A dozen? Three? One?“I hope people will be encouraged to think a little about the relationship between the democratic process and the deal-making that goes on behind closed doors.

“I hope they’ll get some insights into the steamier side of politics and get a fresh perspective on the role of the ‘personality politician’.”

The play comes to The Marlborough as part of Brighton Fringe from Monday to Wednesday.

Starts 7.30pm (also 9pm on Wednesday), tickets £12/£10.

Periplum stage an outdoor spectacle

ABOUT 2,000 theatre fans turned out at the old Preston Barracks site in Lewes Road, Brighton, on Saturday to watch 451, a play by theatre company Periplum.

The performance, inspired by Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451, told of a society in which books are banned. The free outdoor show was commissioned by Without Walls, Brighton Festival, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival and Norfolk and Norwich Festival.