Based on a true story, Down to Chance, follows the events in an Alaskan town during the biggest earthquake that’s ever hit the US. Advertised as Come from Away meets The Play that Goes Wrong, this show is much more like Come From Away, as very little goes wrong in this slick, fast-paced tale of disaster and courage.
Written by Ellie Jay Cooper and Directed by Caleb Barron from Maybe You Like It theatre company, the story follows Genie, a radio journalist in 1964, whose gender is hampering her ambitions. When the earthquake strikes though, she is the only experienced reporter available, and together with her teenage intern, they keep the residents of Anchorage informed and entertained during a terrifying night.
A set of radio mics, portable recording equipment, and a couple of desks are all that is needed in this play about human connection. Cooper and Robert Merriam between them portray an entire cast of characters – the General in charge of the rescue efforts, a mother who has lost her son, a HAM radio enthusiast, and Genie’s husband who wants her to come home, are just a few of the people we meet over the course of 70 minutes. A simple costume change – the addition of a hat or scarf – allows Cooper or Merriam to slip into a different persona, using their skills of characterisation to bring the inhabitants to life. The story whizzes by, keeping the audience interested and engaged, with occasional moments of pathos that help to emphasise the reality of the situation and just how important the radio broadcast was in bringing the community together in a time of crisis.
Having built up great pace and interesting characters, the ending was a bit of a let-down. It came abruptly and felt unsatisfying, the writing not meeting the standard of the rest of the show and frustratingly feeling like it only needed minor tweaks to take it up to the same level. Even so, Down to Chance is worth seeing, especially if you liked Come From Away. The story is fascinating and feel-good, with talented actors and plenty of funny moments.
Down to Chance is running at the Pleasance Theatre, London until the 9th of May. Tickets are available here: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/events/location/London
Reviewer: Charlotte Mansfield
Reviewed: 24th April 2026
North West End UK Rating: