Tickets are now on sale for a comedy festival inspired by a legend of British television.
The Rik Mayall Comedy Festival will once again take over Droitwich Spa from May 29 to June 6 with headline appearances by Alexei Sayle, Nigel Planer, and Peter Richardson.
The 2026 line-up also features comedians such as Harriet Kemsley, Phil Ellis, Nick Helm, Richard Herring, Rachel Fairburn, and John Otway.
Fringe events will light up the entire town, with gigs in pubs, cafes, a beauty salon, and even a canal boat.
Guest appearances are expected from Helen Lederer, The Young Ones director Paul Jackson, and Grim Tales director Bob Baldwin.
General tickets went on sale today, with more than 200 events planned across the town in tribute to Rik Mayall.
Stuart Panrucker, festival director, said: "Last year absolutely blew us away with more than 10,000 tickets sold.
"For 2026, we’ve raised the bar. Bringing together Nigel Planer, Alexei Sayle, and Peter Richardson with modern powerhouses like Harriet Kemsley and Phil Ellis isn't just about nostalgia - it’s about celebrating Rik’s chaotic and beautiful spirit.
"We are proud to establish Droitwich Spa as the spiritual home of alternative comedy—a place where the anarchy belongs to everyone."
Tickets for the Norbury Theatre headliners and the 200-act Fringe programme are available now at www.rikmayallcomedyfestival.com.
The Norbury Theatre, where a young Mayall first discovered his love of performance in his home town, will host a standout programme of headliners.
These include Sayle in conversation with Robin Ince, Planer on his Young Once book tour, and Comic Strip founder Richardson.
Half of all fringe events will be free or pay-what-you-want, making the festival widely accessible.
A Young Ones-themed pop-up museum will form another centrepiece of the festival, featuring a new exhibition curated by photographer Andy Hollingworth.
Red Richardson, Lindsay Santoro, Tiff Stevenson, and work-in-progress shows from Rachel Fairburn and Laura Smyth round out the packed lineup.
During the weekends, an outdoor stage on the High Street and Friar Street will bring roaming entertainment and family-friendly shows directly to the heart of the town.
