

Banana Cabaret will mark 42 years of live comedy with their 2025 Balham Comedy Festival, which runs from Friday 4th - Saturday 12th July at The Bedford in Balham.
Now in it’s 13th year the festival will feature masterclass solo shows from tour-de-force acts, including Rhys James, Shaparak Khorsandi and Ria Lina alongside hot new talent, Ali Woods putting the final touches to his eagerly anticipated new show, and Finlay Christie (pictured) working up his upcoming tour.
The Best of Banana Cabaret nights will each showcase four superb acts including the mighty Rachel Parris (pictured), the inimitable Kae Kurd, the surreal Paul F. Taylor, comic favourite Peter Brush, the bewitching Rachel Fairburn, rising star Kuan-wen Huang, and Eric Rushton, winner of the Sean Locke Comedy Award. A comedy improv troupe will also feature at the festival for the first time.
Shaparak Khorsandi said: “Banana Cabaret is the heartbeat of the London comedy scene.”
Festival co-producer and Banana Cabaret king, Dave Vickers, said: “Imagine trying to cherry pick 24 individuals from the bewildering array of comic talent that’s crossed our stage over the last 42 years! I’m particularly happy to have on the bill the great Marcus Brigstocke with his full tour show, Vitruvian Mango.”
The 2025 Balham Comedy Festival will present 24 acts, across 12 shows, over eight nights. The festival will be tied together by one great compère, industry legend and festival co-producer John Moloney. All shows will take place in the iconic round Club Room at The Bedford in Balham where the legendary Banana Cabaret’s comedy club residency of 42 years is the longest in the UK. 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 from balhamcomedyfestival.com. Prices start at just £12 plus booking fee. Please note show times and prices vary.
All the details are here: