An actor and circus performer, Ella Edward's on-screen composure has been quietly drawing the attention of the industry. The 17-year-old had a lead role as Isolde in The Rehearsal, a film adaptation of Eleanor Catton's novel, and appeared in The Changeover, written by Margaret Mahy. She's set to star in
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
I grew up in a lot of different places around a lot of different people. I got into acting through my dad when I was young, and when I got to about 12, started training myself hard to become a circus performer.
I hadn’t done any prior physical training or even sport, was a little gamer child, but circus became something I really wanted and I pushed myself to the level I am at now with the help and influence of the best circus performers in New Zealand.
Now I’m 17, I’m flatting, I’ve done a few Kiwi feature films and I’m still training for world-class skills.
When did you first get into acting?
When I was 7, my Dad auditioned for Les Miserables, and suggested I come along and audition for the role of young Cossette. Randomly I got the role.
What kinds of roles do you like playing?
I want to be a badass chick with a sword. I'd love to do a martial arts film.
What, or who, inspires you?
I inspire myself. But I can also binge-watch YouTube videos of people with mad skills to the point where all I can think is getting these mad skills is all that matters. James Thierree's work is beautiful; he's a Swiss theatre artist.
What's it like being a young actor in New Zealand?
Well, I don't know what it's like to be a young actor in any other country, but I'd say the vibes in New Zealand are artistically driven, which is definitely something that keeps us sane. It's a community I love being a part of.
What aspirations do you have for your career?
Being revolutionary.
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Advertise with NZME.What's coming up next for you?
The Dust Palace is collaborating with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in a show called Midnight in November at the Town Hall. It's going to be galactic, come watch us.
Right now I'm . . .
Listening to: Run The Jewels.
Watching: Nothing at the moment.
Reading: A book about the rise of Christianity and fall of rational thought in the Greco-Roman era. It's called The Closing of the Western Mind. Also a book on colloquial Chinese.
Enjoying: Dark Souls on Xbox.
Looking forward to: Christmas and more training because I'm a nerd.
