PLANS to create a proposed Rik Mayall Comedy Festival moved forward after a meeting at Droitwich’s Norbury Theatre on Tuesday.
The event was the brainchild of Coun Richard Morris as a way of celebrating the TV star’s life, promoting comedy and talent and bringing people into the town.
Rik, who died on June 9, 2014, at the age of 56, grew up in the town and performed many times at the Norbury Theatre.
It is believed the first time he trod the boards was at the Norbury in a production of Waiting for Godot directed by his father John Mayall.
As well as making appearances on the stage, Rik and his brother also helped behind the scenes with the lighting for some performances.
Rik went on to become one of Britain’s brightest comedy TV stars, appearing in several successful shows, including The Comic Strip Presents, The Young Ones, Bottom and The New Statesman.
Coun Morris led Tuesday’s meeting and said the thinking was the festival – backed by Rik’s family – would run from May 31 to June 7, 2025, with a showcase at the Norbury on the last night.
During the week, there would be all sorts of comedy performances at venues across Droitwich. Already signed up, as well as The Norbury, are The Old Cock Inn, the cricket club, the Doverdale
Arms, and the Button Tree Coffee Shop. More have also expressed an interest.
As well as stand-up, comedy plays, sketches, comedy songs and other forms, there would also be performances for children and young people.
Tuesday’s meeting, including Norbury Theatre members, performers, and event organisers, agreed the event should start off small for the first one and grow year-on-year as an annual event.
Coun Morris said: “We asked the family whether they wanted a statue, something named after Rik or a comedy festival.
“They opted for the festival as they wanted to keep the comedy he loved alive and events to make people smile and laugh as ‘there’s not enough of it about these days’.”
A committee was formed to start planning the events and taster sessions ahead of the main festival.
Anyone who is interested in getting involved can email Coun Morris at [email protected] for more information.
