Chamomile and the End of the World

As a front line worker during the pandemic (and as one now), so much of this show was relatable. Loved that this was set in a tea shop!

The performers were fantastic, and had probably the best banter I've seen in a show this year. This show was under my radar most of the week, and I'm glad I impulsively bought a ticket.

It's Gilmore Girls meets Waiting for Godot. I laughed. I squirmed. I questioned the meaning of life, felt uncomfortable, and then laughed again.

A great premise told with humour and charm. The two actresses were incredibly watchable and had great chemistry between them. I laughed a lot, had a lot of fun, and even got a little misty-eyed along the way. I think the synchronistic moments were brilliant and will be stuck in my head for a long time to come. Would love to see again!

Can you survive Wellness Week? Will any of us?

I dare you not to be charmed and delighted by this electric duo as they quip their way through quotidian corporate retail.

If you (like me) were a front-line worker through high-covid -- or you simply have a heart for your fellow proles -- you'll find plenty that's relatable here. Playful writing weaves in a building danger just beyond the bounds of the adorable set. How our duo attempts to distract themselves from that slow collapse is the main event, with frequent breezy breaks into truly inspired corpo-slop from head office.

Jorde shines particularly in these uncanny satirical possessions, while otherwise lending her sometimes-spiky assistant manager a touching fragility behind the mask. Diaz is unstoppable as burnout Di, propelling the show with a clear-eyed wondering about the state of the world. Together their banter is embodied, physical; their infectious energy reminds us that play is the key to surviving work and all the horrors beyond.

Uhhhhh go see it while you can, okay?

I loved this show. It captured so much of what I feel about going to work day-to-day as the world crumbles slowly around us. Some of the existential questions and expressions in this play are exactly what I ask myself, too: Is this what we're supposed to be doing? I thought it would feel different than this.

The set and lights were so key to the tension and feeling, and I loved that they were treated with such care. There were moments when I was genuinely creeped out! I laughed out loud! I wanted the characters to be my friends! Janelle Jorde and Michelle Diaz have wonderful, sparky chemistry and bring Evelyn Rollans's insightful, funny writing to life. Work sucks, retail SUCKS, but sometimes your best friends are there. And that's beautiful!

How do you like your tea? With one sugar? Two? Or perhaps…set on fire? - By: Krissy Berkholtz

Chamomile and the End of the World brings an interesting take on the idea of apocalyptic reality we all know thanks to widespread media movies like Armageddon or World War Z. But how would the apocalypse look to two people just trying to live normally amongst all the chaos? A refreshing take on the genre, Chamomile slowly builds the tension throughout the show by investing you in its witty humour, hilarious character duo, and the strong desire to survive as long as you can with the people worth living for. Both Janelle Jorde and Michelle Diaz, the dynamic duo of the show give humorous, in depth and well contrasted performances as the tea loving- and not so loving duo. The conversations felt human and genuine. As we are eased by these beloved characters, we slowly see how the end of the world displays itself through incredibly interesting and dynamic stage lights, while the sound score propels you into the unknown. Leaving you wondering what will come next, and excited for more. Perhaps your favourite tea is the infamous Cheery Cherry blend, or even the Live, Laugh, Lavender brew. The set itself was a character in the show. With its fully formed appearance and calming atmosphere. Every physical gag and joke the show throws at you will be responded with laughter from the audience thanks to Evelyn Rollans writing style and candour. Chamomile and the End of the World is incredibly charming, genuine, and outspoken with its opinions on what the changes we need to see in this world. Grab a cup of your favourite dehydrated leaves and cheers to having a good time at this treat of a Fringe show.

A show full of Tubthumping dance parties, hilarious nonstop banter, tea puns, and a creeping sense of dread. Retail work wouldn't be so bad with these two nihilistic pixie dream girls as coworkers!

A perfect balance of funny, snappy, heartfelt and timely. The two leads have great onstage chemistry. I think this show will resonate with anyone trying (and maybe failing) to exist normally in a sometimes crazy world… and isn’t that all of us?

A great premise, and a clever way to address the topic. The dialogue was both snappy and thoughtful. The play really expressed what I and many people I know are feeling these days. And hey, young playwright - thank you for taking on the capitalists!

A “Best and Worst” Review

The Best: The cheesy synchronized affirmations that begin each day. Always got the chuckles from the audience.

The Worst: It’s a banter show. And the banter never strays from a single topic.

Overall: It’s a show about the unrelenting drudgery of capitalism. Yeah, we really are just bureaucratic puppets, aren’t we?