Rik Mayall: Magnificent B’Stard is a homage to the man and an elegy for what you have to presume were the lost youths of most of the viewing audience. The 90-minute Sky documentary covers Mayall’s career from his early days as Rick the Poet to his unforgettable turn as Lord Flashheart in Blackadder II and as Squadron Commander Flashheart in Blackadder Goes Forth.
Early Career and Breakthrough
The documentary includes footage of Mayall’s early work on stage with his great friend and performing partner Ade Edmondson in the 20th Century Coyote comedy troupe. Edmondson lights up as he remembers a woman in the audience telling her daughter they were “just strolling players.” They later formed The Dangerous Brothers, precursors to Richie and Eddie in Bottom.
Mayall’s unexpected pivot towards a more restrained demonstration of his comic talents came as oleaginous, ruthless, corrupt Tory MP Alan B’Stard in Marks and Gran’s The New Statesman. He also had a Hollywood punt as Drop Dead Fred, followed by the huge success of Bottom as a sitcom and live show throughout the 1990s.
Personal Struggles and Breakup
Edmondson comments for the first time on their breakup a decade or so later. He does not go into detail but says a combination of Mayall’s worsening drinking, behavioural changes after a quad biking accident in 1998, and the extra responsibilities it heaped on Edmondson during later Bottom tours led him to tell Mayall he didn’t want to work with him anymore. “And we never really got to an understanding about that,” says Edmondson, visibly stricken. Mayall collapsed and died of a heart attack on 9 June 2014.
Celebratory but Not Hagiographic
The overall tone is celebratory without being hagiographic, though Ben Elton does his best to push it over that line many cringe-making times. “Everyone knew they were having the best time they’d ever had in a comedy experience,” he says of an early club appearance by Rick the Poet. Stephen Fry also contributes, but the documentary avoids becoming overly gushing, preserving Mayall’s punky vibe.
If younger people watch it, they will get a good idea of the performer and his place in the alternative comedy firmament. They will also get a sense of the man from the collective fondness of the contributors and the enduring love emanating from his children.
