Review: The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return, The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic – ‘A masterclass in movement, emotion, pace, and pure heartstring-pulling drama’

Set in the austerity years of the noughties, The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return follows two best friends over one night, which will change their lives.

Yes, it’s a coming-of-age play, and features some of the usual subjects associated with adolescence including mates’ banter, how to buy alcohol and a search for a first kiss, but the writing, performances and sheer theatrical brilliance make this much more than that. Quite simply, this is a must-see production.

Chalk Line Theatre and playwright and co-director Sam Edmunds have produced an almost flawless show. A story shouting authenticity without ever sinking into self-pity or lazy stereotypical tropes is set against the backdrop of the pride and celebration of their poverty-stricken, seemingly abandoned town of Luton.

Olatunji Ayofe’s narrator (voice) and his best mate Lewis (Elan Butler) are lads looking to have a great night out, and approach how best to appear at a friend’s birthday party with trepidation. Ayofe’s character fancies the birthday girl, Lakesha (Amaia Naima Aguinaga) like mad, but he knows he needs to play it cool.

The trouble is, although both lads are decked out in fake Ralph Lauren tops, Top Man Jeans and Nike trainers, they have yet to work out how to pull on the attire needed to deal with life’s other problems. Like, how to get a bottle of vodka from the corner shop and its miserable all-knowing proprietor, Boss Man.

Butler and Aguinaga play numerous parts to perfection, including creepy uncles, judgemental dads, pissed up footy fans off to Spoons, and, most sinister of all, bad boy bullies wearing identical track suits from JD Sports. All the while, Ayofe drives the narrative along with poetry, charm, and a charging raw energy.

The acting by all three is quite simply a masterclass in movement, emotion, pace, and pure heartstring-pulling drama. Relationships between each of the characters are so tender, gut wrenching in their power and stunningly genuine.

There are huge laughs along the way, but what makes this play so moving is the message that these kids are “on the precipice of choice.’ Lewis is determined to escape, and he recognises he is the only one who can persuade his mate that there is another way out of the “tapestry of restlessness” and mundanity of his otherwise predetermined route.

Split second changes in movement, tone and an innovative use of lighting elevate the show from your typical Edinburgh fringe ‘state of life’ plays to something so precise and true that even the knife that flashes in anger at the party cannot destroy it.

Co-direction by Vikesh Godhwani, sound design by Matteo Depares and a selection of noughties bangers drive the story along, igniting passion and ultimately delivering an uplifting message of hope.

Alongside the tour, Chalk Line are contributing to a national impact programme on knife crime intervention, supported by the Ben Kinsella Trust, with the hope of reaching thousands of young people across the UK.

This is easily the best show I have seen so far this year. Please drop what you are doing and get a ticket.

 

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The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return is at The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic on July 15-19 at 8pm, with an additional 3pm matinee show on Saturday. Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

All photos: Harry Elletson

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