When The Salvation Army began in London, England, early Salvationists faced opposition from various groups—including one called the Skeleton Army. The confrontations between the Skeletons and the Salvationists often resulted in open rioting, even violence. The dramatic true story of this conflict comes to life in a new musical called Skeleton Army, which will make its Canadian debut at The Salvation Army’s INSPIRE Conference and Congress in June.

With music and lyrics by Canadian Staff Songster Leader Major Len Ballantine and based on a book by John Copeland, the musical is directed by Brad Cain, produced by Carol Jaudes and originally conceived by Neil Leduke, territorial director of marketing and communications. Ahead of INSPIRE, Salvationist managing editor Kristin Ostensen spoke with Kathryn and Kyle Higgins, who star in the two-actor show, about Skeleton Army, their favourite scenes and why they’re thrilled to finally bring the show to Canada.

What is Skeleton Army about?

Kyle Higgins: Skeleton Army is set in 1880s London and focuses on Charles Jeffries, who was a leading member of an anti-Salvation Army gang called the Skeleton Army. The story focuses on his opposition to The Salvation Army, his conversion into The Salvation Army and his legacy afterward. He actually goes from being the second-in-command of a branch of the Skeleton Army to being the principal at the Army’s international training college. It’s such an amazing transformation story!

The musical made its official debut in New York City in 2019. How did audiences respond?

Kyle Higgins: It went great. It was really neat being able to open up in the heart of New York City, at Times Square Corps. They have this really nice black box theatre space, known as Theatre 315. And it suited the way that the play was staged, which is almost in the round, so you’re surrounded by the audience while you’re performing. It was perfect for the energy of the show. 

One could say Skeleton Army is a family affair, as you two are a married couple and Kathryn’s father, Major Len Ballantine, wrote the music and lyrics. What has that been like, doing this as a family?

Kathryn Higgins: It’s been amazing because I’ve never had a musical written specifically for me. I don’t think anyone knows me as well as my dad—he knows my range, what my strengths and weaknesses are. So, when we first got the music and started singing through it, I thought, Wow, this fits right in the pocket! It was really exciting.

Kyle Higgins: There’s never been someone who I’ve been more comfortable with acting on stage than Kathryn. I think we’re very good at reading each other, and there’s a natural chemistry that was immediately apparent. And we get to practise at home, too, which helps.

Kathryn, you play three very different characters in Skeleton Army: a barmaid at the Blind Beggar pub, a Salvation Army officer who helps set Jeffries on a new path, and Jeffries’ wife. Which one do you enjoy playing the most and why?

Kathryn Higgins: My favourite is Scarlett, the barmaid, because she’s fun and sassy and maybe the most like me. Her accent is a real East Londoner accent, where I grew up, so it feels like home to speak in her voice. And her journey as a character is so interesting because she is rough around the edges, and very protective of her heart—she doesn’t let people in. She cracks jokes, she’s kind of rough and tumble with the guys at the bar and has a “nothing can bother me” attitude. And as the show progresses, the audience watches her go from that to someone who has something to say, who has heart, who has a soul and who is learning that there is light in the world, because her world is so dark. That arc is so fun to play.

What is your favourite scene or moment in Skeleton Army?

Kyle Higgins: Mine is one that we call the lamppost scene near the middle of the play. Charlie and Scarlett have a conflict where Scarlett finally reveals how she’s feeling and Charlie’s blown away by it. The words, how they were written by John Copeland, really flow nicely. It’s a great scene. I also like the bar scene at the start, too, because I get to hand out “beer” chalices to the audience members and get them to drink—it’s actually ginger ale. It’s always big energy and good fun. Kathryn Higgins: My favourite is also the lamppost scene. That scene is so exciting because it’s the first time that we get more “physical” toward each other. It’s stage combat, but it’s not a fight. It’s a verbal fight that could get physical, but the audience isn’t sure if it’s going to go too far or not. That’s fun to play as an actor. I also have a favourite moment where Scarlett speaks her heart at the watch-night service. It’s this great long monologue where I go from the Salvation Army captain, to Scarlett, back to captain. And Kyle gets to go take a sip of water [laughs] while I’m going back and forth, talking to different characters who are essentially talking to each other. And that’s a really fun section of the script where it looks like two characters, but it is just me. But even in my own mind, I’m thinking it’s two characters. I’m seeing Scarlett when I’m the captain; I’m seeing the captain when I’m Scarlett.

Skeleton Army is an 80-minute one-act play. How do you keep your energy and focus going when you don’t really get much of a break?

Kyle Higgins: I get lost in the character. It’s so much fun to be up there that I don’t really even consider my energy. I’m always more energetic at the end of the show than I am at the start because the emotions accelerate my excitement. But I’ve got it a little bit easier than Kathryn because, as she was saying, there’s a whole chunk right near the middle of the play where Kathryn is playing all three characters, essentially, and I just get to go in the back of the stage and have a nice long drink of water. [laughs]

Kathryn Higgins: It’s true, what Kyle said about feeling really energetic throughout. While I’m on stage, I’m so engrossed in the character, we’re so engaged in connecting with each other and connecting with the audience because the show is so interactive— the audience becomes the Skeleton Army, they become the patrons at the bar, they become the congregation at the church service. So, it’s just go, go, go. You’re invested.

How are you feeling about bringing the play to Canada?

Kyle Higgins: A lot of my family hasn’t seen the show yet, so I’m thrilled to be able to bring it to them because it’s this thing that we’ve been talking about for years.

Kathryn Higgins: I agree, it’ll feel like a homecoming, being able to show our friends and family what has been such an integral part of our lives the last few years. I’m really excited to bring it to Canada. 

So, what’s your bottom line? Why should everyone see Skeleton Army at INSPIRE this year?

Kyle Higgins: It has great music, it’s historical, so you’re learning about The Salvation Army, and it’s an inspiring story of transformation.

Kathryn Higgins: If you are struggling to believe that God can redeem the garbage in your life, then this show is for you.

Learn more about Skeleton Army and listen to the full interview with Kathryn and Kyle Higgins at salvationist.ca/inspire/skeleton-army.

Photos: Neil Leduke, Lulu Rivera

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