The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return

The Chaos 1920
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Show Information
Showing on:
Fri 7 November 2025
Duration:
Approx. 1hr 15mins, no interval.
Price:
Genre:
Array
Venue:
Mercury Studio
Age Guidance:
16+
Warnings:
Show contains strong language, descriptions of violence, alcohol use, haze, strobe lighting and use of E-cigarettes

Winner of Best New Writing at Fest & Skinny Magazine 2024

Following a sold out Edinburgh Fringe run, Chalk Line, presents The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return.

“If this town gave out a collective breath of exhaustion, buildings would shake across the whole of England.”

Two best mates. One HUGE party. Luton pinned by austerity. An evening of noughties bangers and shots of shitty gin mixed with the chaos of violence. A night to remember!

Set over one chaotic night, the play follows two best friends as they chase the highs of youth against a backdrop of systemic neglect. Painting a tapestry of violence and joy, it is a raw, real-time collision of friendship and survival. Told with biting wit and lyrical intensity, this production is a powerful exploration of class and identity, with a cracking house party that pulses round the corner.

Videos and reviews

★★★★★  Spy in the stalls
★★★★★  Ovation News
★★★★★ Adventures In Theatreland
★★★★★ North West End

Content to Consider and Accessibility

This is a 16+ and this show contains strong language, descriptions of violence, alcohol use, haze, strobe lighting and use of E-cigarettes.

Studio Event

Please note that this performance takes place in our smaller Studio Theatre. If it’s your first visit or you are unfamiliar with the Mercury building, you can find out more about our spaces here.

★★★★

“Brims with boisterousness”

The Guardian

★★★★★

“Unfolds like an urban epic”

Fest Magazine

★★★★

“Exhilarating”

WhatsOnStage

★★★★★

“A masterclass in storytelling”

Theatre Weekly 

★★★★

“Anti-lyrical Under Milkwood”

The Stage

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