Review / Theatre Review: Down to Chance, at Pleasance Theatre Friday, 1st May — By Lloyd Bickham
Ellie Jay Cooper and Robert Merriam star in Down to Chance, a gripping two-hander that recounts the true story of Genie Chance's award-winning radio broadcast in the aftermath of Alaska's 1964 earthquake. The mantra "Keep them calm, keep them listening" becomes Chance's guiding principle as she fights to inform a terrified public amidst the chaos.
Overlooked as a serious journalist, Chance finds herself at the centre of the disaster, struggling to gain access to the Alaska Public Safety Building. The play, written by Cooper, delivers a propulsive narrative that explores the frantic search for loved ones, the unpreparedness of city officials, and the moral dilemmas of crisis reporting. The love of radio shines through, with Caleb Barron's clever staging incorporating portable units and microphones to create a live broadcast each night.
Cooper and Merriam glide seamlessly between 20 roles, showcasing electric fluidity. The conflict between Chance and General Whittaker, who initially sees her as a distraction and later tries to hijack the broadcast, adds tension. When Chance learns of a possible aftershock, she faces a harrowing choice: sharing the information could trigger a mass evacuation, with cars tossed from highways as the ground trembles. This compelling dilemma could have been explored further, but the drama remains tight.
Well-placed pockets of comedy lighten the mood, particularly the interns' struggle to hold listeners' attention at the station's HQ while Chance gathers information. Down to Chance captures the golden age of radio with superbly controlled frenzy, earning thunderous applause. Running until May 9 at Pleasance Theatre, this is a richly deserved success.
Categories: Theatre
