BANANA CABARET BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL

BEST OF BANANA CABARET

RACHEL PARRIS, JOE WELLS, KEITH FARNAN, VIDURA BANDARA RAJAPAKSA, JOHN MOLONEY – compere*

PICTURED: Rachel Parris

RACHEL PARRIS: Special guest on closing night, Rachel Parris really needs no introduction. An award-winning musical comedian, actor, improviser and presenter, nominated for BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance in 2019, Rachel 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 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.

“Delivery and timing as precise and skilled as hand-etched glass… classy, clever comedy.” – THE SCOTSMAN

JOE WELLS: Unexpected, fiercely intelligent and decidedly funny, Joe Wells’ powerful jokes and razor-sharp political comment never fail to win an audience to him. An autistic comedian, writer and speaker from Portsmouth, Joe shot to fame in 2020 when his video about having a non-autistic brother garnered 2.5 million views across platforms. He is in demand all over the comedy circuit, boasts winner, finalist and nominee in an array of prestigious awards. He has opened for Frankie Boyle and Alexei Sayle – pretty impressive accolades!

“Some of the most surprising and thought-provoking material coming from any comedian.”– THE GUARDIAN

KEITH FARNAN: Irresistible funny Keith Farnan is an an internationally renowned Irish comedian in high demand. His hilarious and unique shows engage his audience to explore major social issues with satire and insight, at clubs and festivals across the UK, Europe and the world. A former solicitor on Death Row, Keith began his standup career in Ireland and quickly reached headliner status. He has appeared on Michael MacIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Montreal’s Just For Laughs, Showtime’s Live from Amsterdam, as well as hosting his own standup documentary Money, Money, Money for RTE exploring the financial collapse in Ireland. 

“Artful, satirical, with a lightness of touch and a hefty helping of roguish Celtic charm.” – THE SUNDAY TIMES

VIDURA BANDARA RAJAPAKSA: Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa is a Sri Lankan comedian based in London, via Malaysia and Berlin. His dead pan style lulls audiences to ease while challenging conventional wisdom with a unique tone that is often irreverent, at times poignant, and always hysterical. He was placed third in 2Northdown’s New Act Competition, and made his UK TV debut on the 2021 Christmas Special of ITV’s The Stand Up Sketch Show.

“Intriguing… modestly-spoken style camouflaging some provocative ideas.” – CHORTLE

JOHN MOLONEY: 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.

“Gifted and unpretentious.” – THE TIMES

TICKETS: £18 plus booking fee

BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL – FULL LISTINGS

Banana Cabaret is delighted to bring you our 10th critically acclaimed Balham Comedy Festival from Friday 8th – Saturday 16th July.

It’s 9 nights of choice standup comedy – celebrity and household name acts, rising stars and comedians’ comedians, first-timers and festival favourites, solo shows and special guest appearances – there are shows to satisfy every comic taste, all wrapped cosily in the round at our beautiful venue.

There are two or three acts on each of the solo show dates. The rip-roaring Best of Banana Cabaret shows each feature five superb comedians and a special guest will bring the festival to a glorious close.  

Balham Comedy Festival 2022 spans nine nights and features an amazing twenty-eight comedians, performing in our home of 39 years, the Bedford’s iconic round Club Room where Banana Cabaret has hosted the likes of Eddie Izzard, Jack Whitehall, Sarah Millican and Joe Lycett.

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.

Doors: 6.30pm / Show: 9pm – 11pm. Guests to be seated by 8.00pm. Food orders until 7.30pm. Standing tickets available from 6.30pm at the ticket desk. Bars and DJs until 2am.

*Acts subject to change