Wandering and Wondering

We Predict A Riot runs for 40 minutes at Camden’s Etcetera Theatre as part of this year’s Camden Fringe. Stacey and Paula Haber create a story surrounding news, politics, and governmental decisions, leaving the audience asking — is this show echoing the current state of society, predicting future political outcomes, or is it trying to panic us? The play rushes through all of these topics with a collection of big words, complicated plot lines, and continuous new characters being introduced.

The play follows a 9 o’clock news panel reporting on the Vulgarian Prime Minister’s live movements, as he plunges the country into turmoil; tariffs of 500%, banishing job opportunities, banning European delicacies, etc.. The news anchors break the fourth wall as the play ticks along, a character’s tie is undone, a bandage covered in blood appears, and two of the leads physically and vocally become repressed by electrical shocks as the government controls their language. The Habers attempt to highlight the dissolution of freedom of speech in Vulgaria; however, the performance falls flat as actions become repetitive with little movement or an emotional journey.

There is a fair amount of skipped-over or stumbled-on academic words due to the speed at which the characters speak, and because of this pace, there is no opportunity to digest the crisis present before the next one arrives. Audiences are disengaged due to the endless number of turning points without reason. Although the topics being explored are relevant to 2025 and have good overall points in what they are trying to achieve, it remains unclear whether this show is meant to be funny or pessimistic due to conflicting acting choices—whether it is a comedy with caricature-style acting or a drama with naturalistic style acting.

The play dances around current breaking news, referring to our reality: ‘Make Vulgaria Great Again’, mentions of Hilary and Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, etc. However, the broadness of the script and the static-ness of the direction leave audiences confused and feeling lectured. A good attempt to educate, but unfortunately, it needs more time in the oven.