0
A charity event celebrating the life and works of the late, great comedian Rik Mayall has sold out.
On Saturday 7th March, to commemorate the star’s birthday, 300 fans and celebrity star guests will gather in London to remember one of the greatest comedians of his generation at the first ‘Rik Mayall Convention’.
The untimely loss of the legendary comic, on 9th June 2014, shocked and devastated fans around the globe.
Rik Mayall will live on in comedy history for his captivating characters such as snivelling student ‘people’s poet’ Rick in The Young Ones, slimy Tory MP Alan B’Stard in The New Statesman, dashing ladies’ man Lord Flashheart in Blackadder, sad act Richard ‘Richie’ Richard from the violent slapstick sitcom Bottom, and many more.
The Rik Mayall Convention will feature Q&A sessions with star guests who worked alongside Rik including actor and comedian Lee Cornes, who starred as ‘Dick Head’ the pub landlord in sitcom Bottom, Julien Temple – Director of The Comic Strip, Bob Baldwin – Grim Tales Director, Ate De Jong – Director of Drop Dead Fred, Co-writers of ‘The Last Hurrah’ Dominic Vince and Craig Green, plus co-star and musician Ed Tudor Pole and his band will perform.
Supported by Wells Bombadier – Rik was the face of the ale brand with the popular slogan ‘Bang On!’ – the event will take place at The Pipeline bar, Liverpool Street, and will see prize giveaways to winners of a Rik-themed trivia quiz, a raffle and star prize auction. One of the star items on offer will be the ‘Swan Lake’ ballet outfit Rik’s lifelong comedy partner Adrian Edmondson wore on Let’s Dance for Comic Relief in 2011.
Hosted by ‘Rik Mayall Marathon Events’ directors Penny Monsen, Stan Barker and Duane Smith, the non-profit event will see all funds raised go to Headway – the brain injury association (Registered Charity No 1025852).
Rik suffered a brain injury following an accident on his quad bike back in 1996, which left him in a coma for five days. Headway has received thousands of donations from Rik fans, including £7000 from a ‘Flash Your Cash For Rik’ Twitter campaign in the days following his death.
Jo Plant, Director of Fundraising at Headway, said: ‘Rik was an original and exceptionally funny man, whose legacy will continue to touch the lives of comedy fans all over the world.
‘Everyone at Headway was deeply saddened when Rik passed away. We have been moved by the overwhelming generosity of his fans who have since made donations to the charity, and we hope Rik’s family and friends will be touched by the efforts Penny, Stan and Duane have gone to in order to organise this event in his memory.
‘We would like to thank everyone who has bought tickets for this event and we wish the organisers the best of luck with their fitting tribute to an extraordinary comedian.’
Event organiser Penny Monsen, Director at Rik Mayall Marathon Events, said: ‘We have been overwhelmed by the response from fans for this event.
‘To sell out is astonishing. We never dreamed it would happen in advance.
‘One thing I’ve learned in the last nine months is that fellow fans of Rik are very generous.
‘When he passed away in June, I was so upset I felt I had to do something to connect with other fans sharing in my grief.
‘So, I turned to social media, and started an event on Facebook to hold a ‘marathon’ collective viewing of Rik’s works a week after his death.
‘I wasn’t alone. Nearly 7000 fans took part that night and that’s how ‘Rik Mayall Marathon Events’ was born.
‘Devoted fans of Rik’s comedy are a passionate bunch. I’ve made many friends since we lost him.
‘We plan to make the convention an annual event, with other smaller events held throughout the year.
‘Any fans who have missed out should follow us on Twitter or Facebook to keep informed of upcoming events.’
For more information visit: www.rikmayallmarathonevents.com / Twitter @rikmayallevents / Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/rikmayallmarathon/