The Film
The worlds saddest film
About the film
Set in the rural village of Little Wenlock, Shropshire, in March 1546, this artistic historical drama follows Alice Glaston, an eleven year old girl whose vivid, often dissociative imagination serves as a sanctuary from the grim realities of Tudor life.
The story opens against the backdrop of King Henry VIII’s bloody matrimonial history. Alice is a farmhand for the ailing, kind-hearted Mr Harris, but her dazing and dreaming frequently pull her away from her chores, losing herself in elaborate fantasies.
The film explores the thin veil between childhood innocence and the looming brutality of the Tudor era. The film is based on true events from April of 1546.
Inspiration
The inspiration for the film stems from the haunting, real life mystery of Alice Glaston, the youngest girl ever recorded to be executed in England. Little is known of her life beyond a brief, chilling entry in the parish register of Little Wenlock in 1546, which simply records her hanging alongside two others, and her age.
Introducing our Alice!
Introducing Aila Mcleish
as Alice
Dreams of an Eleven Year Old Witch marks Aila's film debut and we couldn't be prouder to introduce her to the screen. Aila first auditioned for us back in September 2025, when we received her first round self tape. Ever since then, Aila has consistently impressed the team with her brilliant acting skills, incredible concentration and utter professionalism.
The films director Harry Paterson says:
"I remember Aila's first in-person audition in London. For me she was the Alice Glaston I envisioned. She had the range needed for the character and treated Alice with respect, sincerity and realism capturing the essence of an imaginative, inquisitive young person with the intelligence and grit a medieval child would be capable of".
Upon being given the news, Aila was absolutely delighted. This is the first time that Alice has ever been portrayed on screen. She was last performed professionally 12 years ago, in the BBC radio play the Spirit Child, where she was voiced by actress Bettrys Jones.
Aila says:
"I am over the moon to be cast as Alice in Dreams of an Eleven Year Old Witch. I feel incredibly fortunate to tell this story and bring her to life, and it means so much to be trusted with such a special role. I am so grateful for this opportunity and to be working with the team at Vitality Entertainment. I’m really excited to begin this journey and can’t wait for audiences to see it".
Adam Mcleish, Aila's dad says:
We are delighted for Aila and incredibly proud of her. Her dedication and hard work have led to this wonderful opportunity, and we are so grateful for the support she has received along the way. We are truly excited to see her take on the role of Alice in this incredible story.
Aila, everyone at Vitality Entertainment is so looking forward to working with you, and bringing the Alice's incredible story to life on screen!
MEET AILA, OUR ALICE
Recently, Aila met the BBC's Sophie Law to talk about the film, Alice, and the casting process, leading to her being cast as the film's lead. You can hear the full interview on BBC Sounds now.
Further Casting
Heather Elise Nelson
We are thrilled to welcome Heather Elise Nelson to the cast of Dreams of an Eleven Year Old Witch, where she will take on the pivotal role of Mrs. Glaston. A versatile talent from Bolton, Heather is an accomplished actor and presenter who trained at Rose Bruford and brings over a decade of industry experience to the production. Known for her compelling performances in films such as The Invisible Enemy and Intervention, she was also recently nominated for "Best Actor" for her emotional work in Paint The Sky. Her presence adds a seasoned depth to the ensemble as they bring the historical and emotionally complex story of Alice Glaston to life.
Penelope Bone
We are excited to introduce Penelope Bone, who joins the cast of Dreams of an Eleven Year Old Witch in the significant supporting role of Mary, Alice's slightly unfortunate best pal. This production marks the professional acting debut for the 11 year old from Doncaster local. Chosen for her unique blend of technical acting skill and historical curiosity, Penelope brings a fresh and natural energy to the film's ensemble. Her casting highlights the production’s commitment to pairing rising young talent with seasoned industry professionals to tell the haunting true story of Alice Glaston.
