A COMEDIAN and writer from Tisbury has launched his Hedgehog theatre company and brings a science fiction-themed race for survival to the area.

Jacob Hulland, 23, was brought up in Tisbury and with a first-class degree in Comedy, Performance and Production from the University of Winchester, has performed stand-up comedy and appeared at every Shaftesbury Fringe Festival with many sell-out performances.

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His play is called HMS Galactica. It is about a doomed computer with only hours to live. Using her memories and an artificial ferry boat, HMS Galactica, she issues a rescue plea- but will anyone save her in time?

Jacob said: "The idea came from University when I was writing a TV show using the character Swiggy Marlow - an alien who is immortal and who is angry about it. I took the best bits from that show and added them to this one. I must have been working on this version of HMS Galactica since 2020." 

The audience will join the computer, her friend ETD (emergency transfer drive) and her grumpy owner, Swiggy Mallow (an immortal alien with a chip on his shoulder) for a hilarious race against time cruising the stars and beyond.

The show is family orientated with some audience participation and is suitable for children aged 7 and over. 

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Jacob admits to feeling nervous. 

He said: "You never know whether the audience will turn up."

He plays several characters but along with other actors, the team bring the show to life. Jacob plans to provide more family-friendly shows in the future and possibly take them onto Fringe festivals. 

Performances run for 50 minutes at Victoria Hall, Tisbury and there are four shows available over two days - Sunday, August 20 and Monday, August 21 at 2.30pm and 6pm.

For tickets, or for more information, go to newvictisbury.com