The Chaos That Has Been And Will No Doubt Return
LIVE PUBLIC SHOW: 7pm | Thursday 23 October | Peterborough College
Jumped Up Theatre is partnering with Chalkline Theatre to bring their award-winning production of The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return to Peterborough on Thursday 23 October 2025, as part of their UK tour. Peterborough College will host the performance and aims to entertain and engage young people in the consequences and harsh realities of hard choices.
“Edmunds paints a vivid picture of the limiting factors on the lives of working-class men, the grinding sense of debt that is passed down from generation to generation, the violence they encounter and have to live with on the street..it’s exhilarating”
What’s Chaos about?
Two best mates. One HUGE party. Luton is pinned by austerity. An evening of noughties bangers and shots of shitty gin mixed with the chaos of violence. A night to remember!
Following a SOLD OUT Edinburgh Fringe run, Chalk Line presents The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return.
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.
CHAOS analyses how easily young people can be drawn into challenging and conflicting circumstances, when they are surrounded by issues, such as hostile county lines and personal austerity in the face of a lack of government support. The show simultaneously is an entertaining hilarious evening at the theatre set to an early noughties soundtrack that contrasts the exhilaration of youth to the very real dangers of gang violence and knife crime. It focuses on how a life full of potential and that’s bursting with energy, can all come to an end in an instant if the wrong decisions are made. It aims to speak for young working class people across the UK.
Is Chaos any good?
★★★★★ " A masterclass in storytelling" Theatre Weekly
★★★★★"Unfolds like an urban epic: its small cast of characters freewheeling through streets and council estates, the fizzing freedom of youth caught against the suffocating constraints of British austerity...it all feels irresistible" Fest Magazine
★★★★ "Playwright Sam Edmunds gives us a teens’-eye view of the town in the 00s with this arresting account of a house party...an eloquent assessment of how fear can result in fury" The Guardian
★★★★"Think Steven Berkoff’s East crossed with a grimy, anti-lyrical Under Milkwood and you have something of the flavour of this odyssey into the underbelly of Luton. Writer Sam Edmunds sees the life burning furiously inside of them." Lyn Gardner, The Stage
★★★★ "Edmunds paints a vivid picture of the limiting factors on the lives of working-class men, the grinding sense of debt that is passed down from generation to generation, the violence they encounter and have to live with on the street..it's exhilarating" What's On Stage
How to see Chaos
To make the show as accessible to young audiences as possible, we’re partnering with Peterborough College. Students will be able to see a private performance at 14:30.
The general public are invited to see the Public performance at 19:00 on Thursday 23 October.
Location: Peterborough College, Park Cres, Peterborough PE1 4DZ
What three words: plug.palms.ropes
Accessibility
Peterborough College is an accessible venue with disabled parking, no step access to the performance and accessible toilets.
If you would like to discuss your access needs before booking a ticket please contact us.
Acknowledgements
This award winning performance is from Chalkline Theatre Company, brought to Peterborough by Jumped Up Theatre. Hosted by Peterborough College and supported by Landmark Theatres. It’s one-night-only performance is all made possible by funding from Arts Council England and the Esmee Fairburn Foundation.