BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL 2025

BEST of BANANA CABARET

RACHEL PARRIS, ERIC RUSHTON, JIMMY McGHIE, RUNI TALWAR, COMPERE – JOHN MOLONEY*

PICTURED: Rachel Parris

RACHEL PARRIS Special guest on this bill, Rachel Parris really needs no introduction. An award-winning musical comedian, actor, improviser and presenter, she was nominated for BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance in 2019, and beat Tiffany Haddish, Ellen Degeneres and Amy Schumer to become Female First’s Comedian of the Year 2018. Her incisive and hilarious segments of the hit BBC2 series The Mash Report, and her Lockdown Lipsync videos, have been worldwide viral smash hits all across social media and firmly established her as a comedy star. A popular voice on Radio 4 panel shows, a founder member of the acclaimed improv show Austentatious, Rachel has taken many critically acclaimed shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, Soho Theatre and on tour. It’s Fun To Pretend (2018-19) was extended due to popular demand and culminated in two sold-out shows at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre. Her next show POISE toured the UK in 2024. Rachel’s first book ADVICE FROM STRANGERS was published by Hodder in 2022.

“Her delivery and timing are as precise and skilled as hand-etched glass. This is classy, clever, controlled comedy.” – THE SCOTSMAN

ERIC RUSHTON Gloriously and unpretentiously daft, 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 – boasting that he’s contacted a number of famous people through WhatApp – 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, including the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award, following in the footsteps of previous winners Jason Manford and Johnny Vegas. Then in 2023 Eric was inaugural winner of the Channel 4 Sean Locke Comedy Award. He says they gave him a bunch of money and a bunch of prestige for that and experiences a lot of anxiety about capitalising on that success. A regular performer at the UK’s biggest comedy clubs and festivals, Eric got all A*s in his GCSEs, 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

JIMMY McGHIE Hugely likeable Jimmy McGhie, a highly regarded stand-up comedian with a wealth of experience, has consistently captivated audiences at the forefront of the UK circuit, his prowess, versatility and comedic finesse leaving an indelible mark on the UK circuit and global comedy festivals. A finalist in prestigious comedy competitions, he quickly became a standout at the Edinburgh Fringe. He has performed over 10 solo shows at the renowned international festivals. His television credits include BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, Comedy Central, ABC Australia, THREE New Zealand, and Absolute Radio. He is also a highly sought-after entertainer for tour support to heavyweights like Jason Manford, and warm up act, and in great demand for corporate events.

“Honest, wonderful comedy.” – The EDINBURGH FESTIVALS MAGAZINE

RUNI TALWAR Runi Talwar is an accomplished writer, stand-up comedian, satirist and improviser. Having moved from Sydney to London, Runi brings a unique brand of satire and irreverent award-winning comedy. He is also an accomplished improviser, being among the first graduating class of Improv Theatre Sydney as well as training at iO Chicago and Second City. As a writer, Runi has written for ABC Australia, SBS Australia in addition to TV and radio panel shows such as Hypothetical, Have I Got News For You, The Now Show and BBC News Quiz. A regular on the standup festival scene, his debut hour at the Edinburgh Fringe garnered rave reviews. 

“Fluently paced … with charm and ease (offering) fascinating and entertaining insight.” – 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 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

---

BOOK YOUR TICKET