RENOWNED comedian and sitcom star Greg Davies has been announced among new headliners for Droitwich’s Rik Mayall Comedy Festival later this year.
The Welsh funny-man has been named alongside The Comic Strip founder Peter Richardson as some of the festival’s biggest performers at the Norbury Theatre in May.
Those are just two of the household names already confirmed for the festival’s headline shows at the Norbury alongside Shaparak Khorsandi, Red Richardson, Paul Foot and Laura Smyth.
Helen Lederer who worked with Mayall on shows such as The Young Ones, Happy Families and Bottom will also perform.
The community-run festival is taking place from May 31 to June 7 and tickets for the headline shows go on general release on March 9.
Rik Mayall, star of the ‘Young Ones’ and ‘Bottom’, grew up in the Spa town and the festival aims to bring together many of the comedians and actors he worked with over his career and continue his legacy by supporting youth programmes at the theatre.
The programme will also feature theatre, comedy for children and parents, panels and screenings. Free activities for families will take place around, and a pop-up museum will feature memorabilia from Mayall’s career.
A world premiere of ‘Serious About Comedy’, a film produced by University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Institute and the Birmingham Rep, will also feature.
The screening will conclude with a panel headed by director of West End productions – Dr Strangelove and Upstart Crow – Sean Foley.
Other venues across town are part of an open Fringe, and applications are open on the festival website to perform.
A large portion of performances will be free and ‘pay what you want’ including stand-up, improv, theatre and live music.
Chris Broad, festival committee chair, said: “We are so excited to welcome these fantastic comedians, actors and writers. It’s a rare opportunity to see big names in such an intimate setting.”
The festival idea came from a discussion with Mayall’s family and local councillor Richard Morris. The family suggested a celebration in the town where he found his feet in entertainment was a fitting tribute.
Tickets are available for local residents from March 8. General sale is March 9. The festival team will be announcing more events in the run up.
Visit www.rikmayallcomedyfestival.com for more information.
