DISCUSSIONS have taken place about having a permanent memorial in Droitwich town centre to the late comedian and actor Rik Mayall.
It follows a proposal made to Droitwich Town Council by an artist called Cal from the Black Country Arts Council who expressed an interest in creating a sculpture and monument in Rik’s memory.
Rik, who died in June 2014 at the age of 56, grew up in Droitwich and performed many times at the Norbury Theatre.
It is believed the first time he trod the boards was at the Norbury in a production of Waiting for Godot directed by his father John Mayall.
As well as making appearances on the stage, he and his brother also also helped behind the scenes with the lighting for some performances.
Rik went on to become famous for a number of roles in hit TV shows, including The Young Ones, Bottom, The New Statesman and The Comic Strip Presents series.
At the meeting of the town council, where the proposal was discussed, members said although they felt it was a good idea if a memorial was going to be created in the town it should involve input from the Droitwich Arts Network and the Norbury Theatre.
Rik’s family still live in Droitwich and councillors were concerned there had been no mention of the family being consulted which would need to happen for the idea to progress.
Anne Lane, the chairman of the Norbury Theatre, welcomed the idea.
“He must be the most famous entertainer from Droitwich and we should be celebrating his links to the town more.
“He wanted to be an actor and he made it so it would also be good for the town’s young people to let them know if they also want to do something like that they can achieve it.”
The town council said it had thanked the artist for his proposal but reached a decision not to proceed with it at this time.
* WHAT do you think? Do you think there should be a permanent memorial to Rik Mayall in Droitwich? If so, what form do you think it should take? Email your views to [email protected]
