The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return - Review

Review by Amelia

Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review

Southwark Playhouse Borough continues its journey with highlighting amazing work that has come from the Fringe. Following a sold out run there and rewriting the narrative of knife crime and violence, Chalk Line (‘Blanket Ban’ (Southwark Playhouse Borough)) presents The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return. Writer and director, Sam Edmunds, wrote the play inspired by events of his own life in Luton, and mothers who have lost their children to violence. His co-director, Vikesh Godhwani, puts it brilliantly by saying ‘the play is a party, but it’s also a protest’. The piece is a laugh out loud comedy which incorporates dark themes in ways that really catch you off guard. And gin slander is always welcome!

Leanne Henlon, Nathaniel Christian and Elan Butler. Photo by Harry Elletson

The writing here is so cleverly constructed that the darkest moments of the show seem to appear out of nowhere. You almost forget that this is the narrative you’re following, which makes the sudden shifts all the more striking. These moments hit with maximum impact, leaving the audience reeling from what has just unfolded before them. The humour that Sam Edmunds has injected into the piece is so witty and relatable, that most moments got a cheer as well as a laugh.

The production makes clever use of a simplistic set and minimal props (Rob Miles), proving that not a lot more is needed to create a believable environment. This stripped-back approach keeps the focus on the performers and the story, allowing the audience to engage without distraction. 

In terms of the play’s longevity, I’m unsure how well it would translate to a larger space, as many of the most gut-wrenching moments owe their impact to the immersive element of the theatre size. Expanding the narrative slightly could help sustain its power in different setting, so I’m interested to see the future life of this play. I’d like to see the set be elevated to enhance the overall experience and give it a more refined feel, but this will undoubtedly come with a larger scale production.

Nathaniel Christian and Elan Butler, photo by Harry Elletson.

The sound design by Matteo Depares was particularly powerful, enhancing each scene with precision and purpose. Every choice felt intentional, adding depth and atmosphere that supported the unfolding drama. Combined with the intimacy of the theatre, the effect was striking — the closeness of the space made it feel as though the audience were not just watching, but actively part of the action. The use of familiar, recognisable music adds another layer of distraction, drawing the audience’s focus away from the underlying problems. This contrast between lightness and darkness heightens the emotional effect, ensuring that when the reality of the story breaks through, it lands with even greater force.

The 3 actors are laying themselves bare on stage, putting their all into their work. This works particularly well in this play, as combined with the intimacy of the space, we feel as though the whole room is involved in what’s happening. Nathaniel Christian sells his soul to the role of Voice and commands the stage like his owns it. His chemistry with Elan Butler and Leanne Henlon makes for an authentic story, even as the latter switch between characters throughout. 

If you’re planning to take a trip to see this show, which I recommend you do, the content of this piece is heavy, with the inclusion of descriptions of physical violence, knife crime, a brief depiction of non-consensual sexual act, an instance of homophobic language, and you can find more details on the Southwark Playhouse website.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return plays until the 27th of September. Tickets are available from https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/the-chaos-that-has-been/

Nathaniel Christian. Photo by Harry Elletson