The co-writer of BBC hit comedy The Vicar Of Dibley is bringing his show about living with Parkinson’s to Worcester on 17 August as part of the Worcester Festival.
Paul Mayhew-Archer’s comedy show, Incurable Optimist, will be at St Martin's Church at 7:30pm, along with special guest Colin Sell, the brilliant pianist from Radio 4 favourite I’m sorry I Haven’t a Clue. In 2011 Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which is a progressive neurological condition with over 40 symptoms and there is currently no cure.
Despite the serious nature of the condition, Paul was determined to see the lighter side and started writing jokes about it, with appearances at the Royal Albert Hall and The Comedy Store. In 2015 he made an award-winning documentary about it called Parkinson’s - The Funny Side, and he recently started co-hosting the hugely popular podcast Movers and Shakers with Jeremy Paxman and others about the realities of living with the condition.
Paul started performing his one-man show, Incurable Optimist, in 2018. He says his wife ‘lives in hope that a cure will be found so that he will finally shut up about it!’
In this special performance to raise money for Parkinson’s UK’s Worcester support group, Paul will bring his original show with new material about what has happened since. Paul also hopes to raise awareness of Parkinson’s through doing the show.
The show isn’t just about Parkinson’s, though. It’s about Paul’s life trying to make the nation laugh as a writer, producer and script editor of some of the nation’s favourite comedies. Above all, the show focuses on the ability of comedy and laughter to make people feel better, with Paul himself forgetting that he has Parkinson’s when he performs the show.
Comedian Josh Widdicombe said: “Paul isn’t just one of the country’s funniest writers. It turns out he’s also a brilliant performer.” Alan and Lynn Nokes, from Parkinson’s UK’s Worcester support group say: “We would like to thank Paul for giving up his time to not only raise awareness of the condition but for also raising much-needed funds for our group.
“Many of us loved watching the Vicar of Dibley and we can’t wait to see his entertaining show when he brings it to Worcester in August.” All proceeds go directly to Parkinson’s UK’s Worcester support group.
Paul is also an Ambassador for cancer support charity Maggie’s and he was awarded an MBE for services to people with Parkinson’s and people with cancer.
