one4review | On 10, Aug 2025

Down to Chance is a taut, engaging two-hander set against the backdrop of the 1964 Alaskan earthquake, playing out beautifully in a compact, intimate venue that was packed to capacity for this performance.

At its heart is Jeannie Chance, a budding reporter eager to make her mark on the airwaves, only to be held back by the station head – purely because she’s a woman. When the earthquake strikes, Jeannie heads to the Public Service Building in town, perfectly placed to report live. But her determination to keep the public informed is once again challenged, this time by General Whittaker, a stickler for correct protocol, who sees no place for her real-time live broadcast updates in his official chain of command.

As the crisis deepens, Jeannie finds her voice, providing Anchorage with a vital public service and a sense of stability. However, a moral dilemma soon looms – should she broadcast news of a possible serious aftershock, risking panic, or hold back in the name of maintaining order?

Ellie Jay Cooper and Robert Merriam deliver exceptional performances, slipping seamlessly between characters with wit, precision, and warmth. The staging has a lively radio-play quality, full of rapid shifts and inventive storytelling. While the momentum dips slightly in places, the energy, charm, and historical intrigue keep it compelling throughout.

This is an absorbing and heartfelt hour of Fringe theatre – both a tribute to unsung heroes and a reminder of the power of a single voice in a crisis. I would recommend catching this performance.

****

Reviewed by Howard

Pleasance Courtyard – Beside

14.10 (1hr)

Until 25 Aug (not 12)