Celebrating Rik Mayall's Legacy: A Week of Laughter in Droitwich Spa
Few comedians leave behind a legacy as wild, irreverent, and stubbornly original as Rik Mayall. Now, one year after his passing, Droitwich Spa is gearing up for the first-ever Rik Mayall Comedy Festival—a weeklong celebration designed to turn the Worcestershire town into a hotspot for all things funny. If you love comedy that breaks the mold, this event has your name on it.
Running from Saturday, 31st May to Saturday, 7th June 2025, the festival’s big draw is Greg Davies, a man well known for his starring roles in shows like "Man Down" (alongside Mayall himself) and "The Inbetweeners." Davies isn’t just a familiar face—he’s someone who shared genuine, on-screen chemistry with Mayall, delivering some of the sharpest moments in modern British sitcoms. For fans, seeing Davies headline feels like the perfect tribute.
But Davies isn’t coming alone. Festival goers will find a stacked line-up with Peter Richardson, the brains behind "The Comic Strip Presents..." and a frequent Rik Mayall collaborator. Helen Lederer joins the fun, bringing her razor wit honed from shows like "Bottom" and "Happy Families." The stand-up circuit will be well-represented by Shaparak Khorsandi, Paul Foot, Red Richardson, and Laura Smyth—each promising their own spin on the absurd, outrageous, and downright hilarious.
More Than Stand-up: Screenings, Panels, and a Journey Into Mayall’s World
This isn’t just about live shows. One of the festival’s big highlights is a series of screenings curated by Peter Richardson. Expect cult classics like "A Fistful of Travellers Cheques," "Bad News," and the madcap "Mr Jolly Lives Next Door." These films, bursting with Mayall’s signature boldness, will feature introductions and behind-the-scenes insight—something rarely offered to fans outside major cities.
Dig into the past with a pop-up museum packed with rare memorabilia, costumes, and photographs. It’s a rare chance to see Rik Mayall’s life offstage and catch glimpses of the outrageous outfits (and faces) that made him TV royalty.
Adding a thoughtful spin to comedy, the festival brings the premiere of "Serious About Comedy," a new film that digs into Mayall’s impact and appeal. Produced alongside the University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Institute and Birmingham Rep, the screening will include a post-film panel, giving audiences the space to reflect on what made Mayall’s humor so fresh and disruptive.
It's not just adults who get to laugh: the weekends are packed with family-friendly activities scattered around the town, making this a genuine community event. Expect performers, pop-up acts, and hands-on silliness perfect for kids—and grown-ups who never quite grew up.
Tickets, snapped up early by Droitwich Spa locals, are now open to everyone but with limited seating at the Norbury Theatre, organizers like festival chair Chris Broad are urging fans to act fast. This isn’t one of those sprawling festivals where you get lost in a crowd. It’s small, welcoming, and fueled by a deep affection for Rik Mayall, meaning every seat feels close to the action.
For longtime fans or anyone who loves British comedy that cuts through the ordinary, Droitwich Spa’s new festival promises sharp jokes, classic clips, and genuine affection for a man who changed the game. The stage is set for seven days of riotous, unpredictable fun—just the way Mayall would’ve wanted it.
