Student recruits Mamma Mia star

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An Edinburgh student has managed to recruit a star of the hit movie Mamma Mia for his graduation film.

Edinburgh Napier University student Daniel Taylor told BBC Scotland that "out of curiosity" he took a chance and called Ashley Lilley's London agent.

The actress agreed to travel up to the capital for a week to perform in his final year film, Cat Eats Dog.

She is due to attend the premier of the short film at the Edinburgh Filmhouse at 1800 BST.

The film was shot in Edinburgh and Penicuik.

I take every script as it comes without thinking negatively about whether it is a student script or not Ashley Lilley

Mr Taylor, 24, who lives in Edinburgh's Trinity area, told the BBC Scotland news website he also chanced his luck with film development agency Scottish Screen by asking the company to pay for Ms Lilley's hotel and travel and for professional firm M8 to cut the movie for free, which they agreed to.

He said: "I didn't expect Ashley to ever get back in touch with me. Out of curiosity I took a chance and thought it would be good to talk to a London agent and you never know unless you ask.

"Ashley is a really great actress and brought a lot of her own ideas to the character.

"I was scared at first when she arrived but I thought she would be the best person to cast for the part and she was. She was really nice when she was here in Edinburgh, it was a lucky chance for me."

Ms Lilley plays Dot in the 11-minute comedy about a university professor, played by James Bryce, who loses his dignity as he tries to impress the attractive young female student.

Daniel Taylo (right) directed, wrote and produced Cat Eats Dog

Ms Lilley, who shot her scenes for Cat Eats Dog in the first week of May, said: "I look at every project that comes through to me and take every script as it comes without thinking negatively about whether it is a student script or not.

"I was a bouncing bridesmaid in Mamma Mia so this is a very different role which I could get my teeth into as she is very manipulating and very far away from my own personality.

"I will be nervous watching myself tonight on the big screen. My mum has come down from the Isle of Bute where I was brought up and despite having worked nightshift last night she has been driving down today (Monday) in time for the showing and my sister is coming from Glasgow."

Professor Robin MacPherson, director of the university's Edinburgh Skillset Screen and Media Academy, said: "We're delighted that Daniel was able to secure such a talented and accomplished actor as Ashley for his graduation film.

"It's exactly the kind of creative, bold and entrepreneurial approach we aim to cultivate in all our students and Daniel has shown that with a good script the sky's the limit."

Ms Lilley plays a bridesmaid called Ali in the movie, Mamma Mia.