For actor Ella Hope-Higginson, the attraction was instant. “Twenty characters each? I’m in!" Working with director Barnie Duncan was another drawcard: “He makes funny stuff, and I wanted a piece of the pie.”
With nothing to hide behind but imagination and timing, Ella approaches each scene with a simple mantra: Is this fun? Is this sort of funny? Can you tell I’m someone else? That playful mindset drives the whole show, keeping the performances fresh and the audience hooked from start to finish.
Switching between dozens of roles relies on laughter, rhythm, and teamwork. Because it’s a two-hander it’s often about finding characters that compliment each other, so probably the biggest influence across the board is Callum (the other actor) and what he’s doing alongside. Inspiration comes from a mix of pop culture and instinct - from cool lead singers to Matt Berry’s unmistakable swagger.
Known for their quick wit and improvisation, Ella says Captain Morrow has been a new kind of challenge. After performing in Bullrush and Heartthrobs, both improvised comedies, this show demanded more structure while still leaving room for those off-the-cuff moments that keep things alive. “This is easily the most characters I’ve ever played in an hour!"
Captain Morrow and the Sands of Time is a celebration of imagination, chaos, and the joy of live performance - a show for anyone who likes live cello, pirate stuff, Mighty Boosh, and enjoys a good laugh!
