The Chaos That Has Been And Will No Doubt Return Review - Freshtah Nabizadah

The precipice of choice and conflict, a theme that followed the characters through the play. A heavy weight that was felt and overshadowed their experience of being young teenagers in Luton, going to a party, before facing a big decision of potentially going to university or staying in a trapped but known bubble of home.

This conflict was felt through their portrayal, their expressions, body language and the way they switched seamlessly and apparently through characters in their small multi-rolling cast.

The way they showed the troubles and struggles of adolescence was realistic, in that it felt like they were trapped in opaque boxes. The way the differing teenage perspectives were shown were factual in experience, everyone has something going on that cannot be seen, especially as a teenager where your world view can be so narrow.

Their message about social injustice at some points felt tense, their struggles building pressure and thoughts screamed at you, as if forcing you to wake up and confront the issue. Such as issues of knife crime, and social class that was given context in the play, Luton having been a hat making industry and being monumental in WW2 and so was bombed many times in their effort to help the war effort. Towards the end of the play Lewis is critically hurt during a confrontation and we are left to assume he is dead until he appears at the end, happy and healthy, in university. His mother visits his perpetrator in prison to give him a hug and to talk which then leads to her receiving a letter of gratitude, this showed reflecting perspectives and humanised an otherwise antagonistic character.

However, although the tension in the conflict was prevalent it was not a moody play. It was entertaining and wholesome, especially in how it presented male friendships. With Lewis and Voice checking in with each other and encouraging each other to pursue opportunities.

Overall, the play touched on social topics while remaining humorous and wholesome.

Review by Freshtah Nabizadah