BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL 2024

BEST of BANANA CABARET

ERIC RUSHTON, RUSSELL HICKS, CATHERINE BOHART, TOUSSAINT DOUGLASS, COMPERE – JOHN MOLONEY*

PICTURED: Eric Rushton

ERIC RUSHTON It’s easy to wax lyrical about the unique comic charm of Eric Rushton. Since his comedy debut in 2014, Eric has been mixing with the best on the comedy scene, impressing audiences with his intelligent, unexpected, playful material and likeable, self-deprecating stage persona. And he’s been mopping up awards like there’s no tomorrow. In 2023 Eric was inaugural winner of the Channel 4 Sean Lock Comedy Award. He is a regular performer at the UK’s biggest comedy clubs and festivals, and credits his mum with raising him on comedy.

“Your spider senses tell you someone is special. There’s something properly idiosyncratic yet inclusive about his writing and performance … incredibly exciting.” – CHARLIE PERKINS, Head of Comedy, Channel 4

RUSSELL HICKS UK based American Russell Hicks is a major player. Anarchic, unbridled, unfiltered and provocative, a risk-taking comic whirlwind, he captivates audiences with razor-sharp wit, acute observations and slick take-downs. Crowds are hooked instantly by his infectious and unapologetic style. Russell is a unique and thoroughly exciting performer, with a formidable gift for improvisation which is the envy of many a professional colleague. And he still can’t believe he gets to make people laugh for a living, travel the world, and most importantly, not wake up early on Monday mornings.

“That was f*!*king awesome! Who put me on after him?!” – David GOWER (former England Cricket captain, after being asked to follow Russell onstage)

CATHERINE BOHART This award-winning firecracker is compelling, animated and unexpected. With whip-smart jokes, Catherine Bohart refines gossip to a high art, consistently garnering rave reviews and critical acclaim for her solo stand up shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and on tour. Her show Immaculate is available on Amazon Prime UK and her highly anticipated new tour show Again With Feelings gets underway in 2024. Catherine’s broadcasting career is rapidly on the rise and she is a regular on BBC Radio 4, where her own topical show will have a six-part series this summer.

“A performer so hair-trigger funny that we know instantly we’re in capable hands.” – THE GUARDIAN

TOUSSAINT DOUGLASS Toussaint Douglass is one of comedy’s most exciting and talked about new names and is already making serious waves across the industry. His innovative brand of stand up mixes the personal with the political, whilst adding a uniquely absurdist slant to brilliant comic effect. Seriously talented, joyfully absurd and charmingly awkward with deceptively subversive writing and vivid imagery, Toussaint Douglass is the next big thing!

“Skilful, charming, quirky, distinctive.” – CHORTLE

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

---

Banana Cabaret is delighted to bring you our 12th critically acclaimed Balham Comedy Festival from Friday 12th – Saturday 20th 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 2024 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

---

BOOK YOUR TICKET