Despite being unable to conquer Edinburgh Fringe 2024, help Two Ladders get "Backed Off The Board" to the stages of London!
Company Biography
Two Ladders Productions was founded in 2019 by three University chums and has since grown to be a company of writers, directors, producers and actors. Our distinguishing quality is the desire to pay homage and to pastiche the classic British comedies of the 20th century as a vehicle for commenting on Britain’s history and today’s societies attitudes to our past. In performance, our uniqueness derives from our attention to the theatrical craftsmanship of world-building, attained via minimal sets, creative use of props, and a focus on storytelling through physical comedy. Reviews from critics and audiences have variously compared the Two Ladders style to The Play That Goes Wrong, Fawlty Towers, and Monty Python.
Our debut performance of original play "Embassy Stomp" was a sell-out show in Fringe 2021 as the Fringe re-introduced in-person performances post-pandemic. Their second show "Dot Dot Dot Dash" was an equal Fringe success, being awarded the Derik Merit Award. The latter play was toured in the South of England and met with outstanding reviews and praise.
Our latest project, "Backed Off The Board" is a guarantee to make people laugh, smile, fall in love with theatre all over again, just as our mission has been since day one. Two Ladders Productions is filled with individuals who have unending potential and dreams of having full time careers in the theatrical and comedy world. "Backed Off The Board" is the product of a group of individuals who just want to perform and make their audiences laugh and smile, both through sheer hilarity, and through a camaraderie created between actor and audience as we collectively satirise Britain’s history and (in)famous figures.
Play Synopsis
Cheltenham Horse Racing Festival, March 17th 1966. Champion racehorse Arkle is set to win his third Gold Cup trophy in a row and all is pointing towards another historical day at Cheltenham. But when the Queen makes an unexpected visit to the event, all chaos ensues in the form of sabotage, kidnappings, romance, The Iliad and a whole lot of Guinness.
Beyond the walls of the Pimms-fuelled betting frenzy of Cheltenham, the Britain of 1966 was facing fundamental questions about its identity and its future. Questions which, despite the occasional efforts of our ruling class, remain stubbornly with us to this day. How do we choose to understand ourselves in a rapidly changing world? What does it mean to be British? Who is our country designed to serve?
As the popularity of shows such as ‘The Crown’ and ‘Downton Abbey’ indicate, we are still fascinated by the thoughts and desires of our upper classes. But have they ever really given a toss about us? Through a side-splitting interrogation of this country’s past, Two Ladders shines an unnerving light into our sordid present and uncertain future.
This show brings audiences classic British comedy with a modern twist. Through a combination of bizarre yet uncannily familiar characters and themes, Two Ladders confronts mid-20th Century Britain through a day at one of its most exclusive sporting events. Poke fun at the despicable antics of the aristocracy and the super-rich, question the attitudes with which we, today, interact with our history and ask yourself, ‘Was Britain ever truly great?’
Reviews/Testimonials
Audience reviews
"One of the best things I've seen on stage” "Perfectly executed, brilliantly acted and absolutely hilarious"
"Not seen anything this good since The Play that Goes Wrong!"
Critic Reviews
"Everything in this play is top secret, but I wouldn’t want this play kept secret from you. This comedy spy thriller has infectious energy that keeps you entertained from start to finish."
"Dot Dot Dot Dash is a silly, fluffy comedy mixing the best of WW2 spy thrillers with the best of farcical comedy." EDFRINGE REVIEW
"In morse code, ‘Dot Dot Dot Dash’ translates as “V” for “victory” – an apt title for a winning production. If the next show from Two Ladders Productions is anywhere near as good as this one it’ll be a must-see at next year’s Fringe." SNACKMAG REVIEW
Social Media
“.#edfringe rec!! DOT DOT DOT DASH is such a delightfully hammy high- energy romp with great prop work, bold physical choices, silly accents and all-in committed performances. If you love a laugh go see this show!! @LaddersTwo will have you in stitches with their antics! “ - Phoebe
“Looking for a fun evening show this last week of #edfringe? I can happily recommend Dot Dot Dot Dash by @LaddersTwo Very enjoyable and silly (in a good way) - it’s always fun to watch actors having so much fun.” - Tom
“One of the best things I’ve seen on stage, so refreshingly different, incredibly funny, a perfect combination of a great cast, genius use of props, and excellent direction and writing. So enjoyable I saw it twice!” - Richard
This project closed unsuccessfully on 4th March 2024