BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL 2024

BEST of BANANA CABARET

JOE WELLS, ROGER MONKHOUSE, ALEXANDRA HADDOW, MICHAEL ODEWALE, COMPERE – JOHN MOLONEY*

PICTURED: Michael Odewale

JOE WELLS Joe Wells is blessed with natural comic timing. He’s clever, insightful and funny, a man of integrity delivering jokes with intelligence and candour. An impressively prolific writer and performer, he has garnered over 2.5m views online for his video ‘Having a non-autistic brother’ as well as plethora of 5-star reviews for his live shows. He is a unique and compelling comedian, with a formidable intellect and beautifully crafted material littered with killer jokes. One of the finest political comics doing the rounds Joe is bold, cunning and, at times, ruthless. You can also find him online with more personal material about mental health and being autistic. He’s so good we’re closing the festival with him!

“Threads great gags through intelligent political material… which delivers regular powerful laughs.” – BRITISH COMEDY GUIDE

ROGER MONKHOUSE Roger Monkhouse is one of the most original and distinctive acts on the comedy scene.  A consummate stand-up with a deadly combination of charm and menace he exerts a masterful control over any audience.  Highly original and quirky, Roger’s trademark stage-prowling style and curious, inimitable manner have established him as one of the hottest names in comedy. Distinguished by his eloquence and keen eye for a fine phrase, Roger’s easy observational style is spiked by the signal flares of an accomplished gag writer.  Happy to improvise, engaging in deceptively easy banter, never short of first class observational material.

“His laconic delivery shields an engaging persona and an enquiring mind.”  – THE GUARDIAN

ALEXANDRA HADDOW An impressive stage presence, and a regular at comedy clubs all over the country, Alexandra expertly walks the fine line between cheeky and outright smut. She skewers hilariously the juxtaposition of her working-class upbringing and her current life as an East London based, freelance writer and comedian. Performing regularly at the big UK festivals, Alexandra has also supported a number of comedy icons on tour. A prolific performer and content creator, her hotly anticipated debut show sold out its entirety at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023, including two extra shows, receiving critical acclaim. She takes the show on a UK tour this year.

“Defiantly optimistic in a way that’s both refreshing and empowering.” – ROLLING STONE

MICHAEL ODEWALE A charming and affable stage presence, Michael’s is a fresh and unfiltered voice delivering sharp and beautifully delivered content. He has well and truly established himself in the comedy world, and takes to the stage with confidence and playful swagger. He’s clever, he gets an audience thinking – no topic is off-limits: politics, economics, racism, pigeons. From one-liners to jokes that slowly build to an eruption of laughter, his versatility, likeability and talent make him very much in demand not only as a performer but also as a writer.

“An arresting knack for storytelling… with grit and relevance.” – 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

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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

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