Book launch: The Films of Rik Mayall

MJ Simpson

Genre: Literature & Spoken Word Duration: 120 mins Price: FREE (+ booking fee) Age: All

Rik Mayall is remembered primarily for his brilliant TV work of course, but did you know he also made a staggering 40 films between 1981 and 2014? Not just comedies but also dramas, thrillers, horror movies, musicals and animation.

Author and journalist MJ Simpson has tracked down, watched and reviewed all 40 of these films (including the one that was only ever released on VHS!) for his brand new book which explores Rik's extraordinary filmography and is on sale today for the very first time. 'The Films of Rik Mayall' includes exclusive memories from cast and crew who worked with Rik plus never-before-seen photos.

Many of Rik’s movies are obscure, some are bizarre, and every one is fascinating. He was in the last ever Carry On film and the sequel to Rocky Horror. He was equally at home playing the title role in a Hollywood comedy or shooting for one day against a blank wall for a microbudget British thriller.

Famously, he was a featured extra in one of the greatest horror films ever made. His scenes were cut from the first Harry Potter film. His animation voice work ranges from the CGI adventures of popular girls’ doll Sindy to a pornographic parody of Snow White. And he made two features with the notorious ‘worst film-maker in Britain’: one as an opera-singing cannibal chef, and the other sharing a role with Sir Norman Wisdom.

This book launch event is the first chance for anyone to buy this brand new book. Drop by and chat with MJ about your favourite Rik film, and maybe discover some you didn't know about.