A NEW musical starring schoolchildren is taking aim at bullying.

The Brighton Fringe show, written by award-winning musician and former Brighton College teacher Natalie Sexton, stars children aged nine to 13.

This Boy Tom is a story of courage, acceptance and friendship inspired by Natalie’s experiences with young people.

She said: “It was from working with young people that I found I had a connection and some empathy for the troubles they face and I wanted to put pen to paper to speak out about some of those issues.”

In the play, it’s been two years since a fire which killed Tom’s little brother Alfie.

Now in his first year at secondary school, he faces daily bullying from a group led by Jessica who thinks he has a dark secret.

When a new girl arrives she brings a new spirit to the class but the questions hang in the air whether one girl can really change an entire year group.

Natalie Sexton won the prestigious BBC Musical Theatre Bursary Award and went on to train at The London School of Musical Theatre.

After working professionally as an actor and singer for the BBC Proms among others, she worked in coaching, casting and directing children as the resident children’s director at Brighton venue 88 London Road.

Her work in schools included vocal coaching at Brighton College.

The show features a cast of ten professional young actors from across the South East whose credits include Billy Elliot in the West End and Matthew Bourne’s Lord of The Flies.

Eliot Milward, 12, who plays Tom, said: “I got into acting because I loved it and I wanted to do lots of it.

“After being in a couple of school productions, I joined Theatre Workshop and Drama Queens.

“I performed in Peter Pan with Natalie who then suggested I audition for the role of Tom.

“I’m enjoying how friendly and energetic the cast is and how much fun we have together. Also, how dedicated everyone is to the show.

“I can relate to the character of Tom as I have experienced bullying and can empathise with how he feels.

“We’re alike in the way that we’re both emotionally in touch and also resilient.”

The show is currently playing at Ralli Hall in Denmark Villas, Hove, until June 2.

Tickets start at £5.50 and are available from brightonfringe.org or by calling 01273 917272.

The show is recommended for ages ten and up.