THE COMPLETE line-up of headline acts for this year’s Rik Mayall Comedy Festival in Droitwich have been revealed.
The list is led by stars of hit BBC sitcom The Young Ones – Alexi Sayle and Nigel Planer – who are heading to Rik’s home town.
The nine-day festival runs from May 29 to June 6 with a variety of venues hosting events and the Norbury Theatre at the heart of it all.
The event will celebrate alternative comedy,, have a significantly expanded fringe and a brand new official second stage.
General tickets go on sale next Saturday, March 7, with a 24-hour exclusive pre-sale on March 6, for festival newsletter subscribers.
Last year, the headliners sold out in minutes.
Organisers have confirmed more than 100 events will be on sale from launch day, with additional shows being added daily in the run up to the festival.
A multitude of mirth
The 2026 programme brings together alternative scene pioneers, major contemporary names and returning festival favourites.
Planer brings his Young Once book tour to the Norbury Theatre and Sayle appears for a special In Conversation event with Robin Ince, reflecting on Rik Mayall and the 1980s comedy revolution.
The Young Ones connection continues with a new exhibition curated by acclaimed photographer Andy Hollingworth.
Other headliners at the Norbury include Richard Herring with a live edition of his award-winning podcast RHLSTP, John Otway (Rock and Roll’s Greatest Failure) and Peter Richardson, founder of The Comic Strip.
Rachel Fairburn returns following a sell-out appearance. Nick Helm, Robin Ince, Redditch’s Lindsey Santoro, Phil Ellis, Red Richardson and Harriet Kemsley also feature in the packed nine days.
Returning festival favourites Laura Smyth and Tiff Stevenson complete the line-up of big names.
The Fringe
Beyond the Norbury Theatre, an even larger fringe festival is expected with appearances from Helen Lederer, Young Ones director Paul Jackson and other friends and collaborators of Rik Mayall including Grim Tales director Bob Baldwin.
There will also be theatrical productions and family shows, the second stage for the full nine days and Droitwich Working Men’s Club transformed into The Lord Flashheart Club, curated by Mitch Benn and sponsored by PSS.
Outdoor stage and roaming performances will also take place during the weekends in High Street and Friar Street.
The home of Rik Mayall
Rik Mayall grew up in Droitwich and famously found his feet at the Norbury Theatre as a young performer.
In honour of that legacy, the festival continues its commitment to nurturing new talent, including a dedicated Showcase for local drama groups and individual performers at Droitwich Spa Community Hall, comedy workshops for ages 12 to 17, and structured support to help student performers take to the stage.
‘Building on inaugural success’
Stuart Panrucker, Festival Director, said: “Last year absolutely blew us away, with audiences travelling from across the world, and more than 10,000 tickets sold.
“For 2026 we wanted to raise the bar again. Bringing together Nigel Planer, Alexei Sayle, Richard Herring, John Otway and so many others is not just about nostalgia, it is about celebrating and supporting new artists by embracing Rik’s chaotic and beautiful spirit.
“Bringing together such an awesome line-up is a huge coup, but we promise a few more surprises on top. We are proud to establish Droitwich Spa as the spiritual home of alternative comedy.”
Visit: rikmayallfestival.com for more and to sign up to the festival.
