REVIEW: Who To Call When The World Starts to Implode at Etcetera Theatre 15 March 2026
‘An hour of music, screams and laughter, and a magnetic friendship turning into romance.’ ★★★ ½
Showcased by the Women’s Writer Festival at the Etcetera Theatre this March 2026 and performed for the very first time, ‘Who To Call When The World Starts to Implode (And You’re Crying at Tesco’s at 11am)’ is a new piece by Indonesian-Dutch writer and director Gabriëlle Hofmann, and musical director and composer Ciara Cogley.
Truly well written, poetic and deeply relatable, this play follows the life of Sophie and Isabel, two music students who couldn’t be more different yet who can’t seem to get enough of each other. The choice of casting is on point, and the chemistry between Nil Uzer (Isabel) and Chloe Payne (Sophie) is palpable. Nil Uzer, originally from Istanbul, often switches to her own language during the play. A unique choice to reflect on the writer and director’s own experience of being an international creative in London, which could have been developed even more. When Isabel speaks in her own language, there aren’t any subtitles yet we understand what she is feeling –a great metaphor for the chaos of her brain and heart. She needs to succeed and works very hard for it. It inevitably clashes with Sophie’s personality, a free spirited, impulsive, one-day-at-a-time type of person, perfectly embodied by Chloe Payne.
The use of music feels like a physical representation of Isabel’s emotional journey: music heals, music guides, music is her everything and when music doesn’t feel right, something is wrong. The story flows easily between the different scenes and musical moments on the keyboard. The few monologues always feel present and earned, and never fall into long backstory ramble, which is refreshing to see. The queer storyline isn’t the main focus yet feels relevant and truthful: although it is a delicate subject when it comes to Isabel’s family, it remains a common part of their everyday life and never becomes a redundant topic. The story is about two young adults figuring out the world, while also, possibly falling in love.
Whilst the overall production value could be enhanced with more production design, better lighting, and refining of the musical moments, this show has a great potential and a touching, cute but also powerful story to tell.
Who To Call When The World Starts to Implode
(And You’re Crying at Tesco’s at 11am)
Written & directed by Gabriëlle Hofmann,
Composed and music direction by Ciara Cogley
