The last UK film featuring actor Rik Mayall, which was filmed on location in Wokingham, is set to be released online this Christmas.
One by One, which was filmed at various locations around the town including The Redan pub and Wokingham Hospital in 2011, is a conspiratorial drama about a cafe worker, Dion, who is jolted from her day-to-day existence when told the world may be on the brink of destruction, revolution, or both.
Directed by Bracknell-born Diane Jessie Miller, company director of Boiling Frog Films, the film was shot over the space of a month, with scenes split between Wokingham and Worthing, with the production hub located in Diane’s rented house in Wiltshire Road.
Diane told The Wokingham Paper: “It was my first ever film that I had written and directed, so I knew I needed to get a big name on board. We wanted someone who maybe hadn’t played a role like this before, and Rik Mayall immediately sprang to mind.
“I sent the request to his agent and when I got the call to say that he had agreed to do it I think I cried uncontrollably for about 20 minutes.”
Diane admitted that she was anxious about working with her idol, but said that any nerves were quickly eased when Mayall arrived on set.
She said: “He was just incredible, he was laughing and joking with everyone, he would run lines with the other actors, he was such a giving person.
“When we were out and about shooting the scenes, people were coming up to him and asking him to do impressions of some of his characters, which he happily did. He would pose for pictures pulling silly faces and even gave a few people a ‘woof!’ which was hilarious.
“We were on such a tight budget that I had to hand-deliver his contract to his house in London. I was expecting just to hand it to him on the doorstep, but he invited me in and we had tea and a chat, then he walked me back to the train station.
“Rik Mayall walked me back to the train station, that is probably one of the most surreal moments of my life!”
Diane said the entire cast and crew were left devastated when they heard the news of Mayall’s death aged 56 in June 2014.
She said: “We were all so upset, as well as being a huge loss to the world, we felt like we had lost a friend too.
“I want the world to see it, Rik was known for being a comedian and this is such a different role, he was an incredible actor and I want as many Rik fans to see the film as possible.”
One by One (certificate 15) will be released online on Christmas Day at 3pm via www.filmvolt.com. The film will be available to purchase for £5 which gives unlimited views for one week.
For more information, log on to onebyonethemovie.co.uk
