Preview: Rik Mayall Comedy Festival
Droitwich Spa
31st May – 6th June 2026
Droitwich Spa is staking a bold claim as the “spiritual home of alternative comedy” this spring, as tickets for the 2026 Rik Mayall Comedy Festival go on sale. The town-wide takeover promises a raucous, fitting tribute to one of Britain’s most anarchic comic voices—right where it all began.
Returning to Mayall’s Worcestershire roots, the festival’s headline programme centres on the Norbury Theatre, a venue steeped in personal history for the late comedian. It’s here that a young Mayall first caught the performance bug, and in 2026 it will host a line-up that bridges the original alternative comedy boom with today’s more unhinged, boundary-pushing acts.
Leading the charge are bona fide legends of the scene: The Young Ones alumni Alexei Sayle and Nigel Planer, alongside Comic Strip founder Peter Richardson. Their presence lends the festival a sense of continuity—less a nostalgia trip than a reminder that the rebellious DNA of alternative comedy is still very much alive. Sayle appears in conversation with Robin Ince, while Planer brings his Young Once book tour to town.
They’re joined by a strong supporting cast that reflects the current comedy landscape in all its oddball glory. Harriet Kemsley, fresh from Last One Laughing, brings her offbeat charm, while Nick Helm promises his usual chaotic intensity. Phil Ellis opens proceedings with his cult hit Bath Mat, and Richard Herring rolls in with a live edition of his long-running podcast RHLSTP. Elsewhere, John Otway—self-styled rock ’n’ roll’s greatest failure—adds a dose of musical absurdity, with Rachel Fairburn and Laura Smyth previewing new material.
But the Norbury is only part of the story. The real heartbeat of the festival lies in its sprawling Fringe, which sees more than 200 acts pop up across Droitwich in pubs, cafés, a beauty salon and even a canal boat. It’s an anything-goes approach that feels entirely in keeping with Mayall’s spirit—comedy erupting in unexpected places, often for free or on a pay-what-you-want basis. Half the Fringe programme falls into that accessible bracket, making it one of the most open comedy events in the country.
Organisers have been working their socks off to try and add a few more chances for you to catch some of the biggest names. We can now share that Harriet Kemsley and Laura Smyth have both added late shows at the Norbury. But that’s not all…
Introducing the Second Stage Saturday Takeover… St Andrews Hotel has been commandeered as the Second Stage across the two Saturdays of the festival. Red Richardson will play an early show on Saturday 30 May, before heading to his sold-out show at the Norbury that evening. Mitch Benn and The Alpha Mayalls will close the festival with a full band on Saturday 6 June.
St Andrews Hotel will also be hosting a huge range of fantastic Fringe performances
Grab your tickets now! Don’t forget to have a look through the hundreds of shows in the full programme. https://www.rikmayallcomedyfestival.com/day-by-day-lineup/
A newly introduced Young Ones-themed pop-up museum adds another layer, featuring an exhibition curated by photographer Andy Hollingworth. Meanwhile, outdoor stages across the High Street and Friar Street will host family-friendly shows and roaming performers throughout the weekends. Following last year’s sell-out success, expectations are high—and rightly so. This isn’t just a tribute; it’s a statement. Droitwich isn’t merely remembering Rik Mayall. It’s embracing the glorious chaos he stood for, and inviting a new generation to join in.