Following its award-winning, sold-out debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return will make its highly anticipated London premiere at Southwark Playhouse Borough this September.
Set in austerity-hit Luton, this powerful new production from Chalk Line Theatre explores the lives of two best friends navigating the highs of youth amidst systemic neglect and rising violence.
The cast includes Midlands-born actor and Spotlight Prize finalist Elan Butler (Masters of The Air, AppleTV+; Fishcat, Nottingham Playhouse/Warwick Arts Centre), Nathaniel Christian (Much Ado About Nothing, Theatre Royal Drury Lane; Dalgliesh, Channel 5), and Leanne Henlon (Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner, Royal Court/New York Transfer; Jitney, Leeds Playhouse/The Old Vic).
Written by Sam Edmunds, who grew up in Luton, the play draws on real-life experiences and conversations with young people affected by knife crime. It highlights the vulnerability of working-class communities and the devastating consequences of unaddressed anger.
Knife crime remains a national crisis, with over 47,000 offences recorded annually and a 240% increase in teenage knife deaths over the past decade. Edmunds’ script offers a raw and poetic lens into this urgent issue.
Directed by Edmunds and Vikesh Godhwani (Blanket Ban, Southwark Playhouse Borough), the production features movement direction and intimacy coordination by Jess Tucker Boyd, design by Rob Miles, and an original score by Matteo Depares.
“This show is a labour of love, built from my own lived experience, and so it is a total joy to share this story with audiences,” said Edmunds. “We can’t wait to bring this new version of Chaos to London and across the regions, with a phenomenal cast and creative team, bringing new energy to the piece. I can’t wait for people to join our party!”
Chalk Line Theatre will also deliver a national impact programme on knife crime intervention, supported by the Ben Kinsella Trust. A special Q&A event will take place on Tuesday 9th September at Southwark Playhouse Borough, featuring Tony Award-winning writer David Edgar.
The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return runs at Southwark Playhouse Borough from 3rd to 27th September 2025, with a UK tour continuing through November.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
