Rik Mayall comedy festival planned for Droitwich
The Worcestershire town of Droitwich is planning to launch a comedy festival in 2025, to honour former resident Rik Mayall.
The comedy star - who appeared in shows such as The Young Ones, Bottom and The New Statesman - grew up in the town and performed many times at the Norbury Theatre. It is believed his first stage performance was at the Norbury as a small boy, appearing in a production of Waiting For Godot that was directed by his father.
Mayall later gave his investigative reporter character Kevin Turvey a background in Worcestershire.
Mayall died in June 2014, and the town's council is hoping to launch the festival in June 2025 to mark this, and make it an annual event.
Councillor Richard Morris told The Droitwich Standard: "The family was contacted and it was thought a statue 'wasn't really Rik and what he was about'. They would prefer a festival as it would help keep comedy - which he loved so much and worked so hard on - alive. One thing Droitwich does well is festivals and one thing Rik did extremely well was comedy so hopefully it will be a winning combination."
Norbury Theatre's chair Anne Lane, said: "We are really hoping we can get the inaugural festival going as a fitting tribute to Rik, as well as boosting and encouraging more of the town's comedic talent. It is fantastic - as the first place Rik performed - to be involved in this exciting venture."
Appearing on the BBC, she added the current thinking was to get the town's pubs and cafes involved, along with amateur comedians performing. "We are hoping to get a big comedian here for the climax of the festival", adding: "A blue plaque is a blue plaque - it can be anywhere. But a comedy festival in Rik's name, every year, brings his memory back."
Further details will be released about the comedy festival when plans have been made.
Bottom, the 1990s sitcom Mayall starred in with Adrian Edmondson, is due to be celebrated via new documentary Bottom: Exposed on TV channel Gold tonight (18th April).
