Millie Hikasa

Tell me about the show and your character. 

I play Lettie, who is a 12 to 13-year-old. However, she is a magical, super-vibrant and adventurous girl who is probably hundreds of thousands of years old. She has all the knowledge and wisdom of those years but at heart, she is a child. She lives with her grandma and mum, and although she is younger, she wants to be as knowledgeable and powerful as them. She befriends a boy, who becomes her first friend, and the two develop this incredible bond. It gives her hope and confidence to put what she knows into practice. But then, purely accidentally, they invite a villain into their world from the magical realm.

Is it fun to use magic in the show?

It’s so exciting. Every child who has watched an action movie, Marvel film or Netflix show with magic wants to do what they see on the screen. So, to be on stage doing magic is amazing. The first time I heard the  music for the spell-casting scene, I thought it was cinematic – it puts this fire in you, it feels as though you are actually doing magic.

How is it working in a show with lots of illusions and magical elements? 

I didn’t know anything about magic, and when we performed some of the tricks for the first time, I had no idea how it was done. Even more than 100 shows into the run, it still amazes me. I didn’t think magic could happen on stage like that. It is so eye-opening to work with; the things that happen on stage make you feel magical.

How are you finding the touring aspect of the show? 

It is a long tour – we started at the end of last year and tour until October. I like to bring things with me that remind me of home. Having something familiar can be really helpful. So I have a few teddy bears with me; I also always have a cup of tea before and after the show, which always makes me feel at home. It has been so nice to see different pockets of the UK and Ireland.

CV

Training: BA (hons) acting at ArtsEd, London (2019-22) 
First professional role: Jack Absolute Flies Again, National Theatre (2022)
Agent: Samantha How, Simon and How associates

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is touring until October 7. Visit: nationaltheatre.org.uk