BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL 2025

BEST of BANANA CABARET

KAE KURD, ESTHER MANITO, PAUL TONKINSON, RACHEL GALVO, COMPERE – JOHN MOLONEY*

PICTURED: Esther Manito

KAE KURD Smart, sharp and brilliantly astute, Kae Kurd is recognised as one of the UK’s fastest rising comedy stars. Passionate about making politics accessible to his peers, his comedy presents beautifully crafted slick routines with confident cutting-edge flair. His debut stand up special Kurd Your Enthusiasm received over 200K views on YouTube, with Joe’s Creative Director noting “It’s intriguing – and exciting – that a performer with such a slick mainstream swagger is able to weave so many socio-political issues into his act.” Kae’s follow up 2021 Spoken Kurd Tour was another total sell out success, with his major UK Tour Kurd Immunity 2023 culminating at the world-famous London Eventim Apollo in 2023. Together with a formidable online presence, there are extensive TV and social media credits, and Kae is also hugely in demand as a writer.

“Delivers joke after rapid joke, to the point where your stomach will hurt from laughing, as well as a fresh perspective on important topics.” – BROADWAY BABY

ESTHER MANITO Esther has keen feel for the cosmic joke which is the human condition, and a knack for handling the big issues with humour, insight and skill. Her standup journey began in 2016 while on maternity leave from teaching, in her first year gaining recognition through the BBC Radio 4 New Comedy Awards, and becoming a finalist in the So You Think You’re Funny Awards. She is now a regular on ITV’s Stand Up Sketch Show, has appeared on BBC One’s Live at the Apollo, features on the major TV comedy shows, and is a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4. Her writing credits are many, including her contribution to the The Sunday Times Best Humour Book of the Year Don’t Panic I’m Islamic. Esther won Best Show at the Leicester Comedy Festival for her solo show #NotAllMen, and her first solo show, Crusade, is available on ITVX. Her first tour, Hell Hath No Fury, received great critical acclaim.

“At times it’s like Victoria Wood has taken the mic.” – RADIO TIMES

PAUL TONKINSON A sensational live performer, Yorkshire man, marathon runner, and twice Time Out Comedian of the Year, Paul Tonkinson has long upheld his esteemed reputation as one of the finest standups the UK has to offer. With a unique and distinctive style, Tonkinson is noted for his effervescent physicality and skilful impressions, which bring alive exuberant, tender comic reflections on love, family and the day-to-day idiosyncrasies of life. A plethora of first class material, combined with tremendous charm and irrepressible, infectious energy make for a formidable talent. He has toured the UK extensively, being Michael McIntyre’s tour support of choice, and made many TV appearances. But his first love remains standup. He’s in huge demand not only in the UK but across the globe. Paul is also a regular and beloved entertainer for the UK Armed Forces, playing to thousands of troops in 45 degree desert heat.

“Watching Tonkinson storm is one of the best sights in comedy. It’s like watching somebody fly.”– Seann Walsh

RACHEL GALVO Rachel Galvo is a storyteller, a social commentator, and a beacon of authenticity in the comedy world. She has a keen sense of observation and a gift for finding humour in the mundane and the absurdities of contemporary culture. Her unique career journey, with its a blend of humor and vulnerability, allows her to connect meaningfully with audiences in a way that is entertaining and intimate. With each performance she seeks to push the boundaries of comedy, proving that laughter can be a catalyst for change and a source of healing, and to inspire future generations to find their own voices and share their stories with the world.

“Rachel Galvo does not hesitate to invite the audience into her hilariously honest experience of puberty, intrusive thoughts, and all things involving Irish girlhood.”– EDINBURGH FESTIVALS MAGAZINE

JOHN MOLONEY – compere & co-producer – Industry legend and esteemed co-producer of the Balham Comedy Festival, John Moloney has been a professional comedian for more years than he’d care to mention. John epitomises dry, dispassionate delivery and is master of the droll one-liner. He entertains audiences across the globe with his crafted, 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-after on the corporate circuit.

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

TICKETS: £20 plus booking fee

BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL – FULL LISTINGS & TICKETS

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Banana Cabaret is delighted to bring you our 13th critically acclaimed Balham Comedy Festival from Friday 4th – Saturday 12th July.

It’s 8 nights of choice standup comedy – celebrity and household name acts, rising stars and comedians’ comedians, first-timers and festival favourites, and solo shows  – there are comedians to satisfy every comic taste, all wrapped cosily in the round at our beautiful venue.

There are two acts on each of the solo show dates. The rip-roaring Best of Banana Cabaret shows each feature four superb comedians plus compere.  

Balham Comedy Festival 2025 spans eight nights and features an amazing twenty-five comedians, performing in our home of  41 years, the Bedford’s iconic round Club Room where Banana Cabaret has hosted the likes of Eddie Izzard, Michael McIntyre, Sarah Millican, Jack Whitehall, Kerry Godliman and Romesh Ranganathan.

The festival is presented by Banana Cabaret – one of London’s longest-running premier comedy clubs – loved by comics and audiences alike and always one of the best lineups in town – and is co-produced by Banana Cabaret’s Dave Vickers and award-winning comedian John Moloney. Balham Comedy Festival alumni include Lee Mack, Sara Pascoe, Rhod Gilbert, Zoe Lyons, Joe Lycett and more.

BEST OF BANANA CABARET – Doors: 6.30pm / Show: 8.30pm – 10.45pm. Guests to be seated by 8.00pm. Food orders until 7.30pm. Standing tickets available online when seated tickets are sold out, and from 6.30pm at the ticket desk. Bars and DJs until 2am.

*Acts subject to change

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