Production Shots: The Chaos That Has Been And Will No Doubt Return

Vital new play supported by the Ben Kinsella Trust comes to Bristol

An award-winning Edinburgh sell-out show will be coming to The Weston Studio of Bristol Old Vic this July.

The theatre has dropped atmospheric production shots taken by photographer Harry Elletson ahead of its opening.

The Chaos That Has Been And Will No Doubt Return, is written by Sam Edmunds, a director, writer and producer who grew up in Luton.

Sam is the Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Chalk Line Theatre company. In the writing of The Chaos That Has Been And Will No Doubt Return, he draws upon his personal experiences as well as the conversations he has had with young people affected by both the threat and consequences of knife crime.

“I wanted to write a play to deal with the enormity and epic-ness of what it means to grow up in an impoverished community surrounded by violence,” he says.

“This play is ultimately a reflection of my upbringing in Luton, but also about the town’s history and people. It wants to celebrate them as well as highlight the realities they live in. I was inspired to write a story which speaks to the restlessness of the working classes who are constantly repressed by our government, how easily young people can be pulled into violence and how we become a product of an environment built to suffocate us.”

Sam also says that the play tells us that “things need to change” which is something he desperately wants.

“Taking this play around the UK following its award-winning sold out run at Edinburgh 2024, is incredibly important as it raises the profile of a national epidemic affecting young people today and also platforms work led by working-class creatives on a national scale,” he concludes.

Chalk Line Theatre is also delivering a ‘national impact programme on knife crime intervention’ supported by the Ben Kinsella Trust. The programme will be reaching thousands of young people across the UK.

Bristol has at times been struggling to get to grips with knife crime over the past few years. In 2023/2024, statistics showed knife crime rose by 26 per cent – an additional 400 more offences compared to the previous year.

For those living in some inner city parts of Bristol, violence – including knife crime – goes through phases of being incredibly problematic. The Chaos That Has Been And Will No Doubt Return will feel very close to home for some.

It’s set on a chaotic night out in Luton – “Voted the worst town to live in England by people who don’t even live here.”

Taking place during a time of austerity – characterised by the post 2008 financial crash – two best friends are off to a house party. There’s banging noughties music, heady vibes and cheap gin. But ultimately, the night turns into something much darker and raw with ‘real-time’ survival.

The Chaos That Has Been And Will No Doubt Return brings to the fore issues that can result from growing up in low socio-economic areas and explores how easily vulnerable young people from working class towns can be drawn into violence.

The Chaos That Has Been And Will No Doubt Return will be in The Weston Studio of Bristol Old Vic 15 – 19 July 2025

For more information or to book, visit: https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/the-chaos-that-has-been-and-will-no-doubt-return

Cast and Creatives
Olatunji Ayofe
Amaia Naima Aguinaga
Elan Butler

Written by Sam Edmunds
Directed by Sam Edmunds and Vikesh Godhwani
Designed by Rob Miles
Produced by Chalk Line Theatre
Sound Design by Matteo Depares
Lighting Design by Sam Edmunds
Movement Direction by Jess Tucker Boyd

Home: https://backstagebristol.com/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chopsybristol.bsky.social
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@chopsybristoltt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backstagebristol
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chopsybaby