REVIEW: SNAKES AND LADDERS IS A LOSING GAME @ THE ROSEMARY BRANCH THEATRE

🎭 Snakes and Ladders is a Losing Game

📍  The Rosemary Branch Theatre, 2 Shepperton Road, London, N1 3DT                         

🗓 Wednesday 07 August 2024

⭐️⭐️

INTERESTING IDEA THAT FALLS SHORT ON DEPTH

Last week, I had the chance to see SNAKES AND LADDERS IS A LOSING GAME by Benedict Esdale at The Rosemary Branch Theatre. This two-person play centres on Sarah, a young woman from the southwest of England, who meets weekly with her ex-boyfriend Jack to play board games — an exercise prescribed by her therapist to help her navigate challenges in her relationship with her girlfriend, Alice. While Alice is frequently mentioned, she never appears on stage.

The play is structured into several scenes, each revolving around a different board game, during which Sarah and Jack chat – albeit vaguely – about their current situation. While we learn that Alice is also Jack’s ex, the play offers little insight into what led the trio to this point or what caused the breakdown of their relationships. Tensions rise as Sarah and Jack argue and shout at each other, but sometimes the progression of these conflicts feels a bit abrupt and unnatural.

Casey Taylor-Williams and River Norris, who portray Sarah and Jack, respectively, do a good job of conveying the emotional range required by the play – from both intimacy and anger. There are moments in the hour-long runtime that hint at deeper revelations or a significant plot twist that could tie all the interactions together, but unfortunately, these never fully materialise.

The concept of playing board games is an interesting one as it’s so relatable to so many people – particularly in the way that it can heighten emotions and create tensions between players. I thought it was a good way to structure the play, and it sets itself up for allowing the audience to really get to know the characters, get on their side and feel empathy for them. Unfortunately, the dialogue lacked a bit of depth and I therefore found it a struggle to become fully invested in the story. 

While it’s true that humans are complex and flawed, and not every character needs to be likeable, a bit more context and emotional depth would have helped me feel more connected to the characters.

Overall, SNAKES AND LADDERS IS A LOSING GAME has an interesting premise and, with a few adjustments — such as added context and more layered dialogue — it has the potential to really captivate its audience.

Estelle Luck

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one reviewer.  

My ticket for this performance of Snakes and Ladders is a Losing Game was gifted by Benedict Esdale who invited me to watch the show on behalf of Pink Prince Theatre in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.