This year – the 11th festival – sees  the return of solo shows from big hitters like Ed Byrne, Richard Herring (pictured), Tiffany Stevenson, Rob Newman, Milton Jones, Rich Hall, rising star Darran Griffiths and the superb Janey Godley, inaugural winner of the annual Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Comedy Award. Solo show evenings feature two acts, with combo tickets available so you get twice the funny.

The Best of Banana Cabaret nights will feature four stellar comedians in one evening including international acts Russell Hicks and Robin Morgan, ones-to-watch, Sharon Wanjohi and Daniel Foxx plus Kae Kurd and Paul Tonkinson Special guest the phenomenal Kerry Godliman will grace the festival on closing night and circuit legend (and festival co-producer) John Moloney will compere throughout.

Rich Hall said: “This will be my third Balham Comedy Festival and I can’t wait. Banana Cabaret is the Old Vic of comedy rooms.”

Banana Cabaret’s Dave Vickers said: “We’re passionate about promoting and supporting the best comic talent. We have a comedy savvy audience who let us know who makes them laugh hardest, so that’s reflected in our lineups. You can watch Rich Hall on our stage, Kae Kurd and Toussaint Douglass. Then you also get to see massive new talent like Laura Smyth (pictured) and Omar Badawy working their way to the top.”

The Balham Comedy Festival spans nine nights and serves up a stunning twenty-eight great comedians, performing in The Bedford’s Club Room, where Banana Cabaret will soon celebrate a residency of forty years, hosting comedy stars from Stewart Lee to Eddie Izzard, Michael McIntyre, Sarah Millican, Lee Mack, Sara Pascoe, Jack Whitehall and more. Comedy goers are encouraged to make a night of it and enjoy dinner and drinks before or after the show. There are even 15 luxury hotel rooms should they wish to spend the night.

Balham Comedy Festival tickets can be purchased here. Prices start at just £12 plus booking fee. Please note show times and prices vary.

The Bedford, 77 Balham Hill, Balham, London, SW12 9HD T: 020 3976 8007 thebedford.com

BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL 2023 / 7 - 15 JULY / FULL LISTINGS

JOHN MOLONEY - compere & co-producer

Industry legend and esteemed co-producer of the Balham Comedy Fes8val, John Moloney has been a professional comedian for more years than he’d care to men8on. John epitomises dry, dispassionate delivery and is master of the droll one-liner. He entertains audiences across the globe with his intelligent and original standup. Twice winner of the Best Live Performer award at the London Comedy Festival, John is one of Britain’s most in-demand comedians and also highly sought-ager on the corporate circuit.

“It is good to know that there is still room for a stand-up comedian as gi9ed and unpreten1ous as John Moloney.” - THE TIMES

FRIDAY 7th - BEST OF BANANA CABARET

- Door 6.30pm / Meal orders un3l 7.30pm / Show 8.30pm - 10.45pm / £18 + bf

ROBIN MORGAN

Robin is a Welsh standup comedian, writer and actor. Onstage he is irresistible, with effortless stagecraft and twinkling rapport with his audience, in demand at top clubs all over the country. His friendly, disarming onstage chat, roving through marriage, fatherhood, masculinity, hometowns and more, delights and endears. His current show “Snip snip, bitch” tours the UK this year.

NAOMI COOPER

Naomi Cooper has really hit her comic stride with her Yummy Mummy Philippa videos. She has performed across the UK and Europe and supported Jeff Garlin, of Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Goldbergs. She’s a seasoned standup comedian, accomplished improviser, and classically-trained actor. Naomi’s star is most definitely in the ascendant.

“A hugely talented rising star.” - JOKES ON US

TOUSSAINT DOUGLASS

Toussaint Douglass is one of comedy’s most talked about new names and is already making serious waves across the industry. His brand of stand up mixes the personal with the political, whilst adding a uniquely absurdist slant to brilliant comic effect. He has supported acts like Russell Howard and Paul Chowdhry, and contributed to scripts for BBC shows. 

SATURDAY 8th - BEST OF BANANA CABARET
- Door 6.30pm / Meal orders un3l 7.30pm / Show 8.30pm - 10.45pm / £18 + bf

PAUL TONKINSON

Award-winner and marathon runner Paul Tonkinson has long upheld his reputation as one of the finest stand-ups the UK has to offer. Paul is noted for his effervescent physicality and skilful impressions. A plethora of first class material, combined with tremendous charm and irrepressible, energy make for a formidable talent in huge demand in the UK and the world over. As Michael McIntyre’s special guest on UK and world tour, Paul has played to millions across the globe. He’s also a regular entertainer for the UK’s Armed Forces.

DAN ANTOPOLSKI

Dan Antopolski is one of the funniest and hard-working comedians out there. He’s self-assured and versatile, with an ironic self-awareness. He takes both old-fashioned comedy and the surreal to the next, unexpected level. He says, he is doing standup for love, and of course for money. He is good at it due to material, performance, face and finally limbs which express sorrow while he smiles. 

"Spectacular displays of verbal pyrotechnics ... confident, splendidly silly and some1mes dazzling.” - THE OBSERVER

RUSSELL HICKS

A UK based American, Russell Hicks quickly established himself as a major player. Anarchic, unbridled, unfiltered, a risk-taking comic whirlwind, he captivates audiences with razor-sharp wit, acute observations and slick take-downs. From the moment he steps on stage, crowds are hooked by his infectious and apologetic style. Russell is a unique and thoroughly exciting performer

CHIN WANG

A UK resident, she grew up in China, and gigs all over the country at all the major comedy clubs. She has reached the finals of a number of prestigious competitions, and garnered two wins to date. She also has an impressive virtual presence, performing and live-streaming online to a worldwide audience. Founder and co-director of Hurrah Comedy, the first Chinese comedy club in the UK, Chin Wang is most definitely one-to-watch.

“Chin Wang’s infinitely likeable stage persona and bel1ng gags have seen her ripping up live gigs!” - THE COMEDY STORE

SUNDAY 9th - SOLO SHOWS

EARLY SHOW - Door 3.30pm / Bowl foods until 4.30pm / Show 5pm - 6pm / £16 + bf

RICHARD HERRING - Work In Progress

Richard Herring will be trying out new material, probably mainly about losing a testicle, but maybe some other stuff too. Puppets may be involved. The show, like Richard, is a work in progress.
Having enjoyed phenomenal success as a writer and performer, Herring is now recognised as a pioneer of comedy podcasting. In 2022 he released his latest book “Can I Have My Ball Back?” which centres around his experiences of being diagnosed with testicular cancer. Richard is often referred to as ‘The King of Edinburgh’ having performed 16 stand-up shows at the Fringe, as well as writing and appearing in a number of critically acclaimed plays.

LATE SHOW - Door 6.30pm / Bowl foods un3l 7pm / Show 7.30pm - 9.30pm / £16 + bf

RICH HALL - “Shot From Cannons”

Fresh on the heels of his acclaimed memoirs, Nailing It, Montana’s messenger returns with new rants, thrilling musical interludes and an ever-formidable knack for laughs on the fly. You’ll pay for the whole seat, but you’ll only need the edge of it. Hall is renowned for his quick-fire banter with audiences and musical sequences.He has fronted the hugely successful BBC Four documentaries Rich Hall’s Red Menace, Rich Hall’s Working For The American Dream, Rich Hall’s Countrier Than You, Rich Hall’s Presidential Grudge Match, Rich Hall’s California Stars, Rich Hall’s You Can Go To Hell, I’m Going To Texas, and Rich Hall’s Inventing the Indian.

“Blissfully funny.” - THE GUARDIAN

MONDAY 10th - SOLO SHOWS
EARLY SHOW - Door 6pm / Bowl foods until 7pm / show 7.30pm - 8.30pm / £16 + bf

JANEY GODLEY - “Not Dead Yet” Tour

WINNER of the inaugural Sir Billy Connolly Sprit of Glasgow Comedy Award (as chosen by Billy himself), Janey Godley can’t wait to be back doing what she does best! More hilarious anecdotes, straight from the women that wouldn’t die and shut up.

A few words from Janey: My past year has been like a giant “Wordle” game that has swept the nation, I went from “cancel to cancer” in 6 weeks. Never one for the conventional path in life, I am still NOT DEAD YET and bringing my tour back on the road. So many stories of heart-warming love and outpouring of support to the occasional daily messages hoping I might die soon because ... well I am a woman who answered back. There will be more hilarious anecdotes, straight from the woman that wouldn’t die or shut up. Come join me!

“Clever, passionate and lyrical... the whole show is infected with a fierce passion... She is a very rare talent indeed.” - DAILY MIRROR

LATE SHOW - Door 9pm / No food orders / Show 9.15pm - 10.15pm / £12 + bf

JOE WELLS 

Rise up against your neurotypical overlords! A stand-up show about representation, role models and the fight for autistic rights.

Banana Cabaret favourite Joe Wells (pictured) brings a solo show to Balham Comedy Festival for the first time. With over 2.5m views online for his video 'Having a non-autistic brother’ and a plethora of 5-star reviews, Joe is a unique and compelling comedian, with a formidable intellect and beautifully crafted material. His writing career began when his first book 'Touch and Go Joe' about his experiences of OCD was published. Since then he has made a name for himself as a stand up comic, writer and speaker.

“Threads great gags through intelligent poli1cal material... which delivers regular powerful laughs.” - BRITISH COMEDY GUIDE

TUESDAY 11th - SOLO SHOWS

EARLY SHOW - Door 6pm / Bowl foods un3l 7pm / show 7.30pm - 8.30pm / £12 + bf

DARRAN GRIFFITHS - “Inconceivable” - 7.30pm

Darran Griffiths’ debut hour, Inconceivable, comes to Balham. Flagrant, thought-provoking and funny, a first-generation Brit dealing with race, class, gender and sexuality.
This very personal show comically and candidly details the journey of tackling infertility and IVF. In the pursuit of becoming a dad, a better husband and (maybe) a better person, he faces battles with social norms, stereotypes, health, and masculinity.

LATE SHOW - Door 9pm / NO FOOD ORDERS / Show 9.15pm - 10.15pm / £16 + bf

ROB NEWMAN - “On Stage”

One the UK’s finest and most prolific writers and performers. Fresh from his BBC Radio 4 series Rob Newman On Air, this award-winning comedian brings us choice bits of his recent sell-out tour show. How new scientific discoveries may help us take the right steps to a life after oil. From cave paintings to car-free cities, how speech evolved from song: Who are we? Where are we going? And how do spiders fly? And there’s the prospect maybe of a couple of songs too.

"Newman combines proper scientific argument with dazzling shades of wit." - THE TIMES

WEDNESDAY 12th - SOLO SHOWS

EARLY SHOW - Door 6pm / Bowl foods until 7pm / show 7.30pm - 8.30pm / £12 + bf

LAURA SMYTH - Work In Progress

Here’s a woman with funny bones. That she was born to do standup was apparent from the moment Laura Smyth first stepped onto the Banana Cabaret stage. A former teacher, and a mother of three, Laura’s comedy is autobiographical and observational, exploring her place in the stupid world. She might be a rela8ve newcomer to the comedy circuit but Laura’s taking it by storm. In her first year alone she won the Funny Women Awards 2019, signed with a top agent, performed at clubs all over the country, hosted corporate events, and made her TV debut.

“A naturally funny woman.” - JO BRAND

LATE SHOW - Door 9pm / No food orders / Show 9.15pm - 10.15pm / £16 + bf

ED BYRNE : “Tragedy Plus Time”

Attributed to Mark Twain, humour is defined as Tragedy Plus Time. Come and join Ed as he tests that formula by mining the most tragic event in his life for laughs.
Ed Byrne returns to touring with a brand-new show, and he’s bringing it to Balham Comedy Festival. A regular and much-loved guest, Byrne has previewed several shows here, including his hit Edinburgh show, “If I’m Honest” in 2019. He has also made special guest appearances on our Best of Banana Cabaret nights.

THURSDAY 13th - SOLO SHOWS

EARLY SHOW - Door 6pm / Bowl foods until 7pm / show 7.30pm - 8.30pm / £12 + bf

TIFF STEVENSON - Choice Bits of “Sexy Brain”

Stand up, writer and actor Tiff Stevenson brings a solo show to Balham for the first 8me. Spend an hour with a woman and her self-diagnosed ‘Sexy Brain’... a study in trying to see all sides of every argument and driving yourself slowly mad in the process.

‘Sexy Brain’ was one of Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s Best Reviewed shows of 2022. Her thought provoking and engaging style consistently sees Tiff play to packed audiences. She can boast a long list of TV and radio credits, and she also writes regularly for the Metro newspaper.

“Hugely accomplished and enjoyably provoca1ve comedian.” - THE TIMES

LATE SHOW - Door 9pm / No food orders / Show 9.15pm - 10.15pm / £16 + bf

MILTON JONES - “OLD AND NEW CLASSICS with Milton Jones”

Does Milton Jones really need an introduc8on? A loyal and ever-popular Balham alumnus, Milton returns this year with another solo show, which he describes thusly: “In terms of jokes - New Tricks meets Antiques Roadshow.”

With his anything-could-happen wild man, endearing manner and appearance, the one-man gag factory that is Milton Jones is king of the surreal one-liner. It’s a quirky brand of humour which is guaranteed to appeal, clever, clean and never offensive. He’s brilliantly funny and to see him live is to fall in awe of his skill.

“The wild-haired Jones has raised wordplay to the level of fine art... fast, absurd and very funny.” - RADIO TIMES

FRIDAY 14th - BEST OF BANANA CABARET

- Door 6.30pm / Meal orders until 7.30pm / Show 8.30pm - 10.45pm / £18 + bf PAUL THORNE

Paul Thorne owns any stage he walks onto. A wonderfully assured performer, his provoca8ve topical gags, spontaneous wit and quirky, surreal comedy songs justify his reputation as first class live performer. He’s a well-respected headliner, with beautifully crafted material, stagecraft and crowd work that make it all look easy. Simply one of the UK’s most sought-ager stand-up talents, Paul is also a regular member of The Comedy Store’s Cutting Edge team, performing material based on the week’s news in this prestigious long- running topical show. A comedian’s comedian, you can’t call yourself a comedy buff if you’ve never seen Paul Thorne!

DANIEL FOXX

Whether it’s growing up gay, pop culture or politics, Daniel uses a light touch and a quick wit to find humour in unexpected places. An award-winning comedian and writer from London, Daniel’s easy-going delivery and sharp jokes have quickly established him as one of the most exci8ng new acts on the UK comedy circuit, while his comedy sketch videos have earned him a huge online following and millions of views. On screen, Daniel has performed as part of the BBC New Comedy Awards. On stage, he has endeared himself to audiences around the UK, provided tour support for Josh Widdicombe and Sofie Hagen. He has a host of accolades including a Writers’ Guild Award nomina8on, Winner of the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence and Finalist in the Chortle Student Comedy Awards.

OMAR BADAWY

Omar is a stand-up comedian who knows how to find the funny in the grey areas of life. Born into two distinct cultures, Arab and Bri8sh, Omar has a unique perspective on the world that will leave you laughing, thinking, and maybe even rethinking what it means to straddle two worlds.
With his quick wit and hilarious observations, he’ll have you laughing from start to finish. But it’s not just about the jokes – Omar’s story is one of naviga8ng the complexities of cultural identity and finding a way to make it work. From arranging his own mother’s second marriage to encounters with EDL-badge-wearing bouncers, Omar makes these unique experiences both relatable and
hilarious.

SHARON WANJOHI

This new kid on the comedy block, Sharon Wanjohi is happy to shock and toys cheerfully with absurdity. She talks (maybe too much) about children's films and the cartoon dilfs that inspired a genera8on of sexual awakenings. And she thinks Ratatouille is a commentary on race. A Funny Women Stage Award Finalist, Sharon’s comedy career is off to an impressive start.

SATURDAY 15th - BEST OF BANANA CABARET

- Door 6.30pm / Meal orders until 7.30pm / Show 8.30pm - 10.45pm - £18 + bf

KERRY GODLIMAN

Perhaps best known for her superb performances as an actor, Kerry Godliman is also a phenomenal stand- up comedian, her onstage persona a mix of next-door-neighbour, busy mum, and that friend from uni who knew how to live it large. She always leaves the audience wan8ng more. Charmingly straight-talking and quick-witted Kerry Godliman is simply one of the country’s best performers.

She is all over the TV (Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, The Royal Variety Performance, 8 Out of 10 Cats and more), and BBC Radio 4, (The News Quiz, The Now Show, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and Just a Minute).

“Forthright of opinion but always happy to chuck herself under the bus. Vigour, charm and plenty of good gags.” - THE GUARDIAN

KAE KURD

Smart, sharp and brilliantly astute, Kae Kurd is a young Bri8sh-Kurdish standup, and one of the UK’s fastest rising stars. Onstage it’s clear he’s enjoying himself, and that’s contagious. Irresis8bly playful and assured, he can wind an audience around his little finger. Kae creates and curates content across a range of plasorms. His debut special, “Kurd Your Enthusiasm” was an overwhelming success receiving over 100k views when released on YouTube, and praised for “championing the alternative voice”. His tour “The Spoken Kurd” sold out in record 8me. This man’s going places, and we get him on the Banana Cabaret stage as often as we can.

“Joke a9er rapid joke... your stomach will hurt from laughing.” - BROADWAY BABY

ANDY ASKINS

Andy Askins is a highly sought-ager headliner. And comics love him! He steps up to the mic armed with a guitar and a cheeky grin - an overwhelmingly misleading demeanour which heightens the impact of the killer lines he delivers. With impeccable 8ming, and material as strong as the songs, Andy has audiences in the palm of his hands. Andy is also one of a very select group to be awarded the Afghanistan campaign medal for his contribu8ons which included several tours to soldiers operating on the frontline.

“Brilliant and unique.” - JOHN BISHOP

KELLY CONVEY

Kelly Convey is a comedian who is not one to mince her words when giving audiences an insight into what modern women really think. With her outspoken and forward-thinking musings, Kelly is real, refreshing and relatable. She has no filter when it comes to her opinions on sex and society, sharing these generously in her hilarious wholehearted performance. You feel like you’ve known her for years. With a face like buJer wouldn’t melt and a mouth like a white van man, Kelly brings a side-splitting mix of feminine and ladeJe style to subjects women rarely talk about in public.

As seen on ITV2’s The Stand Up Sketch Show, Kelly can be seen regularly suppor8ng some of the biggest names in comedy on the road, including Alan Carr, Russell Kane and Joanne McNally. Without a doubt, one to watch.

“One of the most rapidly-rising new comics on the circuit.” - BRITISH COMEDY GUIDE

FINLAY CHRISTIE

With elegant, well-crafted rou8nes, wiJy wordplay and skilful comic timing, Finlay Christie uses his youthful looks and background of privilege to lampoon himself and his generation with utterly charming effect. He never fails to win over an audience. He has appeared on ITV2’s Stand-up Sketch Show, the BBC New Comedy Awards and has amassed over 100 million views across YouTube and TikTok for his stand-up and sketches. He also won the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny competition in 2019 while still a student, and was nominated for NextUp’s “Best Show” award in 2022 for his solo show OK Zoomer. The boy is going places.