If you’re a dedicated Nicola Walker fan, you’d know that one of Nicola’s first jobs as an actress was a tiny role in that beloved 1994 UK film, Four Weddings and a Funeral. She appeared very briefly in the first wedding as one half of an “awful folk duo” who sang “I Can’t Smile without You” and later on in the reception, “Stand by your Man”.
Nicola’s performance did not go unnoticed. In the 25th Anniversary DVD of the film, Richard Curtis, the writer of the film, observed in the commentary that Nicola had come a long way since the film, that she was now an established stage actress.
In late 2018, Richard Curtis planned a short sequel to the film for Comic Relief 2019, titled A Red Nose Day and a Wedding. This sequel only lasts about 14 minutes but he managed to reunite almost all of the original cast. It wasn’t until the clip aired that to our delight, we saw that Nicola was also asked to participate, to reprise her role as wedding singer, only this time, her partner in this duo was Sam Smith!!!
In all the trailers and clips which aired before the sequel itself was released, a number of original cast members were interviewed but there was one glaring omission : no one interviewed Nicola about this gig. So we sought to remedy this and got Nicola’s comments.
When were you first contacted about this gig?
Comic Relief first got in touch with me just before I started rehearsals for “The Cane” (Ed : that would be around late October 2018) and managed to co-ordinate a filming day that happened to fit around the show’s previews.
How long did it take to film your part?
Filming in the Church took about an hour or so in total.
How did you feel about getting back with the original cast?
Singing with Sam was the greatest joy of the day. I was really nervous right up to the point I actually met him – and then you meet this incredibly lovely, talented man and you don’t feel nervous anymore. I fell in love with him immediately.
It was completely lovely to walk into the Green Room and see everyone after so many years. Some of the actors I hadn’t seen since we wrapped on “4 Weddings”; but there were others I’ve worked with over the years. It felt very familiar and very welcoming and we were all just happy to be there.
I am terrible at keeping secrets and I was asked to tell no one about it – I found that quite hard. I couldn’t even tell my family. I went home that night and so wanted to say, “I spent the day singing with Sam Smith … I wanted to tell them that when we got out of the car to film in the church, we had to put coats over our heads – because the press had found out about the location, but they were trying to keep things secret. But I’m pretty sure I heard a photographer shouting, “Sam, Sam!” – so I think we were busted early on.
Any other thoughts you’d care to share?
I think it’s great that Richard Curtis and his team spend time and care every year to make something specially for Comic Relief.
Ed : we think that its great that Richard Curtis and his team took the trouble to involve Nicola in this short film, given that her original role was such a tiny one.
If you like the clip, do make a donation on the UK Comic Relief website.
Oh, and that tambourine that Nicola used in the sequel? It was signed by both Nicola and Sam Smith and subsequently put up for auction on eBay, and the team here on this fansite managed to put in the winning bid. We’ve got it!!!
Want to leave a comment about this article? Try our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages. Links in the right hand side panel.
Back to 2019 Q&A Table of Contents