FEW 14-year olds can claim to have rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s top actors and actresses.
But for Ardingly student Ed Sanders, treading the red carpet with the likes of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter is all in a day’s work!
When Warner Brothers’ latest blockbuster Sweeney Todd bursts onto the big screen later this week, Ed, from Forest Row, East Sussex, will be watching the reviews with interest.
For the teenage music scholar at Ardingly was plucked from obscurity to take the only child’s role in the star-studded movie, where he also worked alongside Alan Rickman, Sacha Baron Cohen and Timothy Spall.
Ed, who is a member of Ardingly College Choir and plays in the school orchestra, was head-hunted for the role after appearing with the National Youth Music Theatre at the Tonbridge Arts Festival, Kent, in the Summer of 2006.
He beat hundreds of other students from stage schools across the UK to land the role of Toby, the youngster who works for a rival barber (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) but ends up helping Mrs Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) in her pie shop.
Ed’s proud mother Angela said: “It has been an amazing experience and Ed has been so lucky to meet such great actors and see for himself what goes on behind the scenes of the film industry – as well as attending the premieres both here and in the USA.”
Ed, met the film’s director Tim Burton as well as Stephen Sondheim, who wrote the music and lyrics for the film, in which he sings a solo part.
Ed first learned he had got the role of Toby in late Summer 2006 and worked on recording the musical score first alongside a 64-piece orchestra. Filming followed, at Pinewood Studios, near Slough, from February to May 2007.
Mrs Sanders, a teacher, gave up her job to chaperone Ed on set and to help him adapt to his new life and keep up with his schoolwork but she paid tribute to the staff at Ardingly, especially Clare Huxley, for their help and support during filming.
She said: “Ed had an on-set tutor, but the College sent lessons and work over via email and, from an academic point of view, he didn’t miss out at all. He did, however, miss his friends and his sport!”
Despite attending the New York premiere of the film in December and the UK premiere in Leicester Square earlier this month – and appearing live with Richard and Judy on TV! – Ed remains unfazed by the experience and is glad to be back to normality at Ardingly College, where he will now be able to share the benefit of his experience with another up-and-coming young actor.
Josh Williams, from Haywards Heath, is waiting to hear any day now if he has landed a key role in the sequel to Narnia, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Mrs Sanders said: “The best thing about it has been how Ed has kept his feet on the ground and how easily has made the transition back to reality after such an incredible 18 months. We are all very proud of him and all that he has achieved.”
Ardingly College has gained a reputation for producing strong acting talent and is now regularly approached by casting agencies to nominate suitable students for audition.
Although Ed would not turn down any future film opportunities, for the time being he is happy to be back at his desk and play his beloved instruments - and sport.
