• I photograph comedians! by Andy Hollingworth is an exhibition of nearly 80 studio portraits, off-stage moments and live performances

• Exhibition includes images of comedians past and present from Birmingham and the West Midlands  

• It also contains comedy memorabilia such as a signed pair of Rik Mayall’s underpants.  

A major photographic exhibition of some of the UK’s most well-known comedians past and present opens at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s Gas Hall on Wednesday 18 February 2026.

I photograph comedians! by Andy Hollingworth is an exhibition of nearly 80 studio portraits, images of rare contemplative moments off-stage and live stage performances.  

The exhibition has a strong local connection, featuring comedians from Birmingham and the West Midlands such as Jasper Carrott and Stewart Lee, as well as brand new, never-seen-before portraits of Lenny Henry, Joe Lycett, Jo Enright and Shazia Mirza taken by Hollingworth especially for this show.

Produced by Showtown, the museum of fun and entertainment in Blackpool, it celebrates some of the iconic comedy greats who entertained for decades, including Ken Dodd, Sean Lock, Rik Mayall and Victoria Wood, alongside portraits of current, established and rising stars, such as Maisie Adam, Rhod Gilbert, Rosie Jones, Sarah Millican and Paul Smith.  

The exhibition also contains items of comedy memorabilia such as costumes, backstage passes, programmes and tickets. Items on display include a tour jacket worn by Lenny Henry on his 1984 tour, a signed pair of Rik Mayall’s underpants, Joe Lycett’s teddy suit, Victoria Wood’s Dinner Ladies costume and the ‘accordian’ handbag belonging to Janice Connolly’s comedy creation Mrs Barbara Nice.  

A programme of events exploring comedy and creativity will run alongside the exhibition, including artists’ workshops, film screenings and talks.

Drawing Comedians with Milan Topalovic is a three-hour workshop led by the Birmingham-based artist on Sunday 1 March. During the session, Milan will guide participants step-by-step in recreating one of Andy Hollingworth’s iconic shots to produce their very own unique artwork. All materials will be provided and entry to the exhibition is included in the ticket price.  

Experimental photographer Tom Godwin will be leading a pinhole photography workshop on Sunday 22 March in which participants will learn how to make their own camera using recycled drinks cans from the museum’s tearoom, capture images and develop photographs using sustainable, homemade developer recipes made from everyday ingredients. The event also includes a short introductory tour of the exhibition.

The film programme includes a screening of the documentary The Last Dance of the Cuckoos, on Saturday 28 March in which Andy Hollingworth takes Stan Laurel’s hat from Stan’s birthplace in Cumbria to Cobh in County Cork, the harbour town that welcomed Laurel & Hardy with joy in September 1953. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Andy and the filmmaker Matt Holt.

Andy Hollingworth will also be giving a special talk at a ‘meet the photographer’ event on Saturday 18 April, when he will be sharing funny anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories and candid insights from photographing comedians, revealing the realities of fame and the moments that happen off-stage and out of the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s regular Comedy at the Museum night sees Shappi Khorsandi headlining on 7 March. Shappi has appeared on countless TV and radio shows, including Live at the Apollo, Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Have I Got News For You, QI, Pointless Celebrities, Question Time and Just a Minute, as well as her own show, Shappi Talk.

Andy Hollingworth said:  

“I’m delighted that this retrospective of my work is being displayed in Birmingham, a city that has produced and been associated with many notable comedians over the years.

“I’m excited to be involved in the programme of events running alongside the exhibition and to have the opportunity to share stories and insights from my 30-year career.”

Zak Mensah and Sara Wajid, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, said:  

“We are delighted to be opening this retrospective exhibition of the work of Andy Hollingworth. His unique connection with the comedians he works with is evident in the intimacy of his photographs.  

“We are particularly excited that the exhibition celebrates local talent, featuring different generations of comedians from Birmingham and the West Midlands and items connected with venues such as Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Odeon and Wolverhampton’s Wulfrun and Civic Halls, showcasing the contribution the region makes to popular culture.  

“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the exhibition and to the unique programme of events that has been curated to complement it.”

I photograph comedians! Photography by Andy Hollingworth will be on display in Gas Hall at Birmingham Museum & Art Galley from 18 February to 31 May 2026, Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm (open daily in holidays). Tickets (adults £9, concessions £5, children aged up to 15 free) can be bought in advance or on arrival.