Their first few productions were adaptations of novels, but, apart from a two-man version of The Importance of Being Earnest, produced in 2005, since 1997 Haynes and Woods have devised and written all Ridiculusmus' plays.
It played to mixed reviews and encouraged the troupe to produce more adaptations; their next production was a promenade version of Flann O'Brien's cult classic novel The Third Policeman.
Opening at Aras na Gael, the show, with free pints of The Wrastler stout given to any audience member bringing a bicycle part,[4] became an instant small scale hit.
Finding it difficult to survive in London, Ridiculusmus began to tour, and jumped at an offer to be in residence at The Playhouse in Derry, Northern Ireland.
[5] In 1999 Woods and Haynes coined the acrostic mnemonic ARSEFLOP to articulate their working principles: Attitude, Reality, Sensitivity, Edge, Focus, Listen, Open Your Heart and Play.