A rib-cracking stage-play featuring Clemento Suarez and Forster Romanus

But in truth, nobody expected it to come off this good, especially looking at the controversy that surrounded the whole occasion.

Everybody that trooped to the National Theatre on Sunday went with the sole purpose of watching the stage-play ‘National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ)’. At least that was the programme on the bill.

However, upon arrival, the organisers shockingly revealed that an injunction from court had been placed on the stage-play, with regards to naming rights, making it impossible for the show to go on.

It obviously left everyone red-faced. Some muttered, others were visibly frustrated, while a selected few also contemplated walking out all together.

It was all set to be a flop, but fortunately the organisers had a plan B; and that was to perform the stage-play ‘The Ladder’ as replacement for the highly sought-after ‘National Science and Maths Quiz’.

Unsurprisingly, ‘The Ladder’ started with almost all audiences presented at the National Theatre in aggrieved mood. It was understandable because that was not what they came to see. But after two-and-half hours majority, if not all, of the audience would have felt totally compensated, having witnessed some fun-filled and rib-cracking scenes.

‘The Ladder’ is a stage-play that fuses comedy into satire, with a storyline about the lives of some students in second-cycle institutions.

Produced by Francis Nutavor, the stage-play tells the story of five mischievous students, being taught by a teacher whose own ambitious motives would later prove to be his undoing.

Like in every class, there is the godly guy (well, supposed godly guy), the talkative, the recalcitrant guy, the showoff and the brilliant student.

However, intriguingly, despite the descriptions of the above five, they all have some skeletons in their cupboards.

But just imagine having a teacher whose half-brother is a fetish priest, a student whose memory an injunction can be placed on and a girl whose father named her things he cannot afford.

As if that is not enough, imagine a student who challenges his teacher that if we can have monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, the “five-cotyledonous” seeds should also be existent.

And if you think these students are dumb, then wait until they surprise you by designing a car which has a medulla oblongata, a nuclear membrane and moves only when you cough into it.

And what do you think would happen when the external examiner supposed to inspect their work holds all the degrees and masters in the world, yet is married to a carpenter?

After watching this play, you would know that when someone promises to take you to DC, remember there is another DC in Dansoman. The teacher can relate.

Although hurriedly put together, ‘The Ladder’ has that comedy element that is expected of any stage-play.

But just as the praises have been sung, so were there some takeaways. The late communication given to audience about the fact that the initially scheduled ‘National Science and Maths Quiz’ was not going to come on was obviously a low point. The communication certainly could have been better, especially when they injunction came 24 hours prior.

Then again the sound from the microphones was not the best. There were times when the cast looked off when they were speaking because their microphones were no so reliable. And the situation was left unattended to for the entirety of the show.

The conclusion of the play was also not the best. It could be argued that the show was rushed, and it was with the aim of appeasing the audience, however, the storyline could have been better. There were scenes which looked disjointed, and aside proving to be funny, had no direct link with the whole narrative.

That being said, I think it was a great show and the organisers, as well as the whole cast, must be commended. To be able to put up such a show in just 24 hours, rehearse it, and perform like they did certainly deserves thumps up.

It was a day when many looked forward to watching the much publicized ‘National Science and Maths Quiz’ but ‘The Ladder’ equally did not disappoint, and everyone at the National Theatre would have gone home all smiles.

For those who missed the stage-play ‘The Ladder’, Nyansapo productions will be bringing another one in September, and you better be there.