As the Edinburgh Fringe Festival gears up for another year of groundbreaking performances, one show stands out for its raw and poignant exploration of youth and violence in a working-class community. The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return, written by Sam Edmunds, promises to be a powerful addition to the festival lineup. We sat down with Sam to discuss the inspiration behind the play, the challenges of bringing it to the Fringe, and what audiences can expect from this gripping production.
For Sam Edmunds, taking The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return to Edinburgh is a deeply personal achievement. “It feels amazing,” he says. “On a personal note, it’s a play about my hometown, and to be able to platform a working-class story in a festival that doesn’t often accommodate for working-class people is incredible.” The journey to the Fringe has been fraught with challenges, particularly financial ones. “We’ve been planning how to get it to the Fringe and afford it for about eight, nine months now. It’s been a really long process, but it feels like a privilege to be one of the working-class voices that can take a story up and platform it there.”
The play is semi-autobiographical, drawing heavily on Sam’s experiences growing up in Luton. “It’s about my lived experience of growing up in an impoverished community and how that can impact a young person’s life,” he explains. The narrative delves into the broader issues of social welfare, benefits, and housing needs, highlighting how these factors contribute to violence and unrest. “There’s an incident in the play around knife violence, which speaks to the growing issue across the UK, but specifically in London and Luton.”
Despite its heavy themes, the play also captures the joy of youth. “The main narrative is set around two best friends trying to get alcohol for a leavers’ party,” Sam says. “The play is filled with noughties bangers and the joy of being young, but it’s juxtaposed with the harsh realities of growing up in a place like Luton.” This contrast is central to the play’s impact, making the moments of joy all the more poignant against the backdrop of violence and austerity.
Sam hopes that audiences will leave the play with a deeper understanding of the issues faced by working-class communities. “I hope it transcends one location and speaks to people from similar communities across the UK,” he says. “The issues are still the same, if not worse, and I hope the play resonates with people about how active we still need to be for working-class people to change the systems that repress us.” He also wants to paint Luton in a more three-dimensional way, showcasing its cultural integration and the beauty that exists alongside its challenges.
The play promises to be an engaging and multifaceted experience for audiences. “If you’re looking for comedy, theatre, or something that will entertain you, I definitely think it will,” Sam says. “You’ll laugh as much as you will be engaged in a great political conversation.” The production is described as stylish and experimental, with the lead character serving as the audience’s narrator and the other actors multi-rolling throughout the play. “There are some epic dance routines and clever set pieces that make the piece exciting and gripping.”
This isn’t Sam’s first time at the Fringe, and he’s feeling more prepared than ever. “This is my third year at the Fringe, so I feel a lot more comfortable,” he says. “The biggest thing is just taking things moment by moment, day by day. Expect the unexpected and plan for as much as you can.” Beyond the show, he’s looking forward to enjoying Edinburgh, particularly Portobello beach.
Sam credits much of the play’s success to his collaboration with co-director Vikesh Godhwani. “Our work is very multidisciplinary and holistic, and we have different strengths that complement each other,” he says. “Vikesh is very ambitious and creative, while I’m more matter-of-fact and organizational. We push each other to get the best out of the work.”
When asked how he would sell the show to someone on the Royal Mile, Sam’s passion is evident. “If you’re looking for a really fun night at the theatre and you grew up in the noughties, or you just love Sean Paul and Nicki Minaj, then get yourself along to the show,” he says. “It packs a great political punch that speaks to the current state of working-class communities across the UK. If you’re passionate about change, come and see it and join the conversation.”
The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return runs from August 1st to 26th (excluding the 12th and 19th) at Summerhall (Demonstration Room), Edinburgh. Don’t miss this powerful and thought-provoking production.
