How we work

Over the past five years we have developed an empowering and transformative model of 'Connective Theatre' in hospital and care environments.

We employ professional actors, trained in interactive theatre, to come into the healthcare environment as 'character visitors'. The characters treat everybody the same - engaging patients, staff and visitors in their virtual world (which has been anything from 1930's Hollywood to a computer game). They listen and respond in character to whatever is said to them.

These characters play out their story over the course of the time allocated (anything from one hour to three weeks) , and they are directly influenced and affected by the people they're with.

The characters, structure, and type of performance is created after consultation with patients, staff and visitors This is in order to ensure that the most engaging and successful piece of theatre is produced.

The interactive nature of our performances involves the characters spending a lot of time listening to people, and asking their advice. We believe everyone's input is valuable so characters accept everything they're told and use it to develop their story, activities and interactions. Examples range from the patients advising the characters on how to ask someone out on a date to them being taught Greek dancing!

The performances, which involve patients, residents, staff and visitors, are entertaining and involve everyone. Ladder to the Moon's characters never see the difference between the audience/participants and their world, though they always remain sensitive to individual needs.