BOSSES at the Norbury have said they will be looking into the possibility of providing a lasting tribute at the theatre to comedy actor and writer Rick Mayall, who died at the age of 56 on Monday (June 7).
A spokesperson for the Norbury Theatre said the committee had not yet met since the star’s death but a lasting tribute was something they would discuss.
They also said if Spa residents had any ideas about how they would like to see Rik remembered, they were very welcome to get in touch and put suggestions forward.
He grew up in Droitwich and performed many times at the Norbury and it is believed the first time he trod the boards was in a production of Waiting for Godot which was 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. The Norbury’s Clive Tudman once told Rik that if it did not work out with the acting, he could be a lighting operator.
A spokesperson for the Droitwich theatre told The Standard earlier this week, despite his fame, he was always very supportive of productions at the Norbury which involved his family members and he always attended the shows when he could.
She told The Standard about one instance when Rik’s sister was playing the principal boy in a panto. To ensure it was her in the limelight and not him, he turned up three minutes before the start of the show and took the seat he had booked in the back row.
During the interval he disappeared from view, but he stayed behind at the end until everyone had gone.
“We want to send our condolences to his family who have been a part of this theatre for a very long time.
“Rik was always very supportive of his family and was a very caring man.
“It is a very sad loss to the theatre world.” she added.
Those wanting to put forward suggestions can email the theatre through the www.norburytheatre.co.uk website.
There have also been two campaigns launched since his death.
The first was a JustGiving page to raise funds for Headway – a charity which helps those who have suffered brain injuries.
Rik Mayall suffered serious head injuries as a result of a quad bike incident in 1998 so those who launched the page thought it an appropriate recipient to receive donations in Rik’s memory.
It was set up to raise £1,000, but almost £12,000 has now been collected.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/FlashCashforRik
And, with World Cup fever gripping the nation, there is a drive to get an England anthem he recorded for South Africa four years ago to number one.
For the song Rik, with rousing music in the background, recites the iconic speech from Henry V by William Shakespeare.
