FRIDAY 7th JULY

BEST OF BANANA CABARET 

Door 6.30pm / Meal orders until 7.30pm / Show 8.30pm - 10.45pm / £18 + booking fee 

​

STEPHEN K. AMOS

A beloved regular on the Banana Cabaret stage, muli-award-winning Stephen K. Amos charms and entertains audiences with his natural, assured delivery and his honest, original material. This Laughter Master has toured the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. One of the na8on’s favourite faces on the television, Stephen is a prolific writer and live performer, releasing a new hour long show every year and performing at all the major world festivals. He has performed in some of the UK's most loved theatres and also appeared at the Royal Variety Show. Amos has impressed critics with his performances on stage and screen and has proved he is one of the most unique comedy voices of his generation. Comfortable as a performer, presenter, actor and guest there is no doubt that Steve will long retain his position as one of the nation's favourite comedians.

​

“Amos is officially a national treasure.”

THE SUNDAY TIMES

 

ROBIN MORGAN

Robin is a Welsh standup comedian, writer and actor. Onstage he is irresistible, with effortless stagecraft and twinkling rapport with his audience, in demand at top clubs all over the country. His friendly, disarming onstage chat, roving through marriage, fatherhood, masculinity, hometowns and more, delights and endears. He has performed four solo shows at the Edinburgh Festival, his debut in 2016 garnering rave reviews and four stars from The Times, and later adapted for BBC Radio Wales. His current show “Snip snip, bitch” tours the UK this year

 

“Bloody funny! Hard working, well-written stand-up from a massively likeable performer surely on the verge of fame.”

- CHORTLE

 

NAOMI COOPER

Naomi Cooper has really hit her comic stride, over the last year becoming a viral sensation with her Yummy Mummy Philippa videos.

She has performed across the UK and Europe, appeared at various prestigious comedy festivals, and supported Jeff Garlin, of Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Goldbergs, for the duration of his extended sold out Soho Theatre run, and again at the Laugh Factory and the Hollywood Improv in LA. A multi-talented performer, she’s a seasoned standup comedian, accomplished improviser, and classically-trained actor. Naomi’s star is most definitely in the ascendant.

 

“A comedy badass. Naomi Cooper is funny. Know that.”

- JEFF GARLIN

 

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. He has supported big hitter acts like Russell Howard and Paul Chowdhry, and contributed to multiple scripts for BBC shows. He has garnered rave reviews for his outstanding performances at many major UK comedy competitions. Seriously talented, joyfully absurd and charmingly awkward with deceptively subversive writing, Toussaint Douglass is the next big thing!

 

“Packs a lot into few words.” - THE GUARDIAN

 

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. Delighted to have been nominated Best Live Standup at the British Comedy Awards, he was even happier to win in the category Outstanding Contribution to UK Comedy. His Radio 4 The John Moloney Show has been BBC Pick of the Year and subsequently re-commissioned.

 

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

- THE TIMES

​

BOOK NOW  BEST OF BANANA CABARET FRI 7th

£18 - plus booking fee

​

SATURDAY 8th JULY

BEST OF BANANA CABARET

Door 6.30pm / Meal orders until 7.30pm / Show 8.30pm - 10.45pm / £18 + booking fee

​

PAUL TONKINSON

A sensational live performer, Yorkshire man, multi-award-winner and marathon runner, Paul Tonkinson has long upheld his esteemed reputation as one of the finest stand-ups the UK has to offer. With a unique and distinctive style, Paul is noted for his effervescent physicality and skilful impressions, bringing alive exuberant, tender comic reflections on love, family and the day-to-day idiosyncrasies of 21st century living. A plethora of first class material, combined with tremendous charm and irrepressible, infectious energy make for a formidable talent in huge demand in the UK and the world over. As Michael McIntyre’s special guest on UK and world tour, Paul has played to millions across the globe. He’s also a regular entertainer for the UK’s Armed Forces.

 

“Charismatic, combines the visual trickery of Lee Evans with the improvisational skills of Paul Merton. Brilliant characterisations, his face, a wonder of contortion.”

- THE INDEPENDENT

 

RUSSELL HICKS

A UK based American, Russell Hicks quickly established himself as 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. From the moment he steps on stage, crowds are hooked by his infectious and apologetic style. Russell is a unique and thoroughly exciting performer, with a formidable gift for improvisation which is the envy of many a professional colleague. Nobody works an audience like Russell, it’s a one of a kind comedy experience. Russell is also the voice of Sky Comedy and the hugely popular Coach Hughes in Amazon Prime dating show Lovestruck High. 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 speak after a set fromRussell)

 

CHIN WANG

Funny, charming and hilariously honest, Chin Wang is fast becoming one of the most exciting new acts to see. Bringing her infectiously funny energy to the stage, Chin is an up-and-coming comedian grabbing the attention of the UK comedy scene. A UK resident, she grew up in China, and gigs all over the country at all the major comedy clubs. She has reached the finals of a number of prestigious competitions, and garnered two wins to date. She also has an impressive virtual presence, performing and live-streaming online to a worldwide audience. Founder and co-director of Hurrah Comedy, the first Chinese comedy club in the UK, Chin Wang is most definitely one-to-watch.

 

“Chin Wang’s infinitely likeable stage persona and belting gags have seen her ripping up live gigs!”

- THE COMEDY STORE

 

DAN ANTOPOLSKI

Dan Antopolski is one of the funniest and hard-working comedians out there. He’s articulate, self-assured and versatile, with an ironic self-awareness. And he is utterly charming. He takes both old-fashioned comedy and the surreal to the next, unexpected level.

He says, he is doing standup for love, and of course for money. He is often good at it due to material, performance, face and finally limbs which express sorrow while he smiles. These are both real and the effect is really something. As always he is pitting fear against inertia by believing he will do an Edinburgh show in 2023 and so far this is creating NEW STUFF in the familiar way. He likes the new stuff, it is different from the old stuff except if you're not him in which case he guesses it is the same. Such is art.

 

"Spectacular displays of verbal pyrotechnics ... confident, splendidly silly and sometimes dazzling.” - THE OBSERVER

 

JOHN MOLONEY - compere (as above)

​

BOOK NOW  BEST OF BANANA CABARET SAT 8th

£18- plus booking fee

 

SUNDAY 9th JULY

SOLO SHOWS

​

 

RICHARD HERRING - "Work In Progress"

EARLY SHOW - Door 3.30pm / Bowl foods until 4.30pm

Show 5pm - 6pm / £16 + booking fee

 

Richard Herring makes a return to stand up after a five year hiatus and will be trying out new material, probably mainly about losing a testicle, but maybe some other stuff too. Puppets may be involved. The show, like Richard, is a work in progress.

Having enjoyed phenomenal success as a writer and performer, Herring is now recognised as a pioneer of comedy podcasting, initially with broadcaster Andrew Collins on The Collings and Herrin Podcast. Consistently placing in the Top 10 UK Comedy Podcast chart, Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast (RHLSTP) sees him interview comedians in front of a live audience. Guests include Michael Palin, Stephen Fry, Simon Pegg, Armando Ianucci, Russell Brand, Dawn French, Stephen Merchant, Miranda Hart, Steve Coogan, Tim Minchin, David Mitchell, Eddie Izzard, Katherine Ryan and Stewart Lee. The show regularly has up to 200,000 listeners per episode, has won three Chortle Internet Comedy Awards and is the only non-BBC show ever to win a Sony Best Comedy Award.

In 2022 he released his latest book “Can I Have My Ball Back?” which centres around his experiences of being diagnosed with testicular cancer. Richard is often referred to as ‘The King of Edinburgh’ having performed 16 stand-up shows at the Fringe, as well as writing and appearing in a number of critically acclaimed plays. There are too many TV and radio credits to list.

​

“His trademark mix of high-brow wit and low-brow puerile style…robust punchlines, pithy one-liners”

- EVENING STANDARD

 

BOOK NOW RICHARD HERRING

£16 - plus booking fee

 

 

RICH HALL - “Shot From Cannons”

LATE SHOW - Door 6.30pm / Bowl foods until 7pm

Show 7.30pm - 9.30pm / £16 + booking fee

 

Fresh on the heels of his critically acclaimed memoirs, Nailing It, Montana’s transatlantic messenger returns with new rants, knife-edge observations, thrilling musical interludes and an ever-formidable knack for laughs on the fly. You’ll pay for the whole seat, but you’ll only need the edge of it.

Multi-award-winning Rich Hall is renowned for his expertly crafted tirades, quick-fire banter with audiences and delightful musical sequences. Rich, who has won both the Perrier Award (Edinburgh Comedy Festival) and Barry Award, (Melbourne International Comedy Festival) lampoons any place he visits with his laser-guided observations.

He has fronted the hugely successful BBC Four documentaries Rich Hall’s Red Menace, Rich Hall’s Working For The American Dream, Rich Hall’s Countrier Than You, Rich Hall’s Presidential Grudge Match, Rich Hall’s California Stars, Rich Hall’s You Can Go To Hell, I’m Going To Texas, and Rich Hall’s Inventing the Indian.

In addition, he has appeared on BBC One’s QI, Live At The Apollo and Have I Got News For You, he wrote and starred in his own reoccurring BBC Radio 4 show Rich Hall’s (US Election) Breakdown and has penned articles for The Guardian and The Sunday Times.

 

“Blissfully funny.” - THE GUARDIAN

​

BOOK NOW RICH HALL

£16 - plus booking fee

​

​

MONDAY 10th JULY

SOLO SHOWS

​

 

JANEY GODLEY  - “Not Dead Yet Tour"

EARLY SHOW - Door 6pm / Bowl foods until 7pm

Show 7.30pm - 8.30pm / £16 + booking fee

 

WINNER of the inaugural Sir Billy Connolly Sprit of Glasgow Comedy Award (as chosen by Billy himself), Janey Godley is ‘still alive, by popular demand’ at this year’s Balham Comedy Festival for ‘One Night Only’ after her record-breaking tour and can’t wait to be back doing what she does best! More hilarious anecdotes, straight from the women that wouldn’t die and shut up.

 

A few words from Janey:

 

My past year has been like a giant “Wordle” game that has swept the nation, I went from “cancel to cancer” in 6 weeks. No, I didn’t smack a man live at the Oscars, in front of millions of people, but I have apologised profusely for historic offensive tweets from over 11 years ago and ended up as the torn worn out pass the parcel for tribal politics in Scotland. All my own doing, but now it’s time to laugh, live and celebrate after dealing this dreadful disease.  

I suffered severe mental illness during the online onslaught and whilst on my last tour in 2021 found a giant tumour in my ovary giblets and had to FIGHT to stay alive. Never one for the conventional path in life, I am still NOT DEAD YET and bringing my tour back on the road. So many stories of heart-warming love and outpouring of support to the occasional daily messages hoping I might die soon because … well I am a woman who answered back.

 

There will be more hilarious anecdotes, straight from the woman that wouldn’t die or shut up. Come join me!

 

“A Fu%king great comedian” - BILLY CONNOLLY

​

BOOK NOW JANEY GODLEY

£16 plus booking fee

​

BOOK NOW COMBO TICKET - JANEY GODLEY plus JOE WELLS

£24 - plus booking fee (limited availability)

​

 

JOE WELLS - “King of The Autistics”

LATE SHOW - Door 9pm / No food orders

Show 9.15pm - 10.15pm / £12 + booking fee

​

Rise up against your neurotypical overlords! A stand-up show about representation, role models and the fight for autistic rights.

Banana Cabaret favourite Joe Wells brings a solo show to Balham Comedy Festival for the first time, and we can’t wait to see it! With over 2.5m views online for his video 'Having a non-autistic brother’ and a plethora of 5-star reviews, Joe is a unique and compelling comedian, with a formidable intellect and beautifully crafted material littered with killer jokes.

His writing career began when his first book 'Touch and Go Joe' about his experiences of OCD was published. Since then he has made a name for himself as a stand up comic, writer and speaker. He now focuses mainly on his unique brand of comedy, and also co-hosts a nerdy music podcast called 'emergency mixtape' available on most podcast platforms.

We’re going to let the reviews speak for themselves:

 

"A star of the future... some of the most surprising and thought-provoking material coming from any comedian.”

- THE GUARDIAN

 

BOOK NOW  JOE WELLS £12 plus booking fee

​

BOOK NOW COMBO TICKET - JANEY GODLEY plus JOE  WELLS £24 - plus booking fee (limited availability)

​
 

​

TUESDAY 11th JULY

SOLO SHOWS

​

 

DARRAN GRIFFITHS - "Inconceivable” 

EARLY SHOW - Door 6pm / Bowl foods until 7pm

Show 7.30pm - 8.30pm / £12 + booking fee

​

We’re delighted to bring Darran Griffiths’ debut hour, Inconceivable, to our Balham Comedy Festival. Flagrant, thought-provoking and funny, a first-generation Brit dealing with race, class, gender and sexuality, we very quickly became fans. Onstage he makes funny with warmth and honesty, with a voice and material authentically his own.

This very personal show comically and candidly details the journey of tackling infertility and IVF. In the pursuit of becoming a dad, a better husband and (maybe) a better person, he faces battles with social norms, stereotypes, health, and masculinity.

A comedian, radio personality and podcaster born and raised in Harlow, to Jamaican parents, Darran has a blend of Caribbean confidence and Essex irreverence. As a writer and performer, he is described as anecdotal, ironic, mordant, satirical and situational. Darran has supported some of the biggest comedy names across the country, like Russell Howard, and performed impressively in industry competitions.

 

“An appealingly roguish figure, and he sets out his case with charm and wit.” - CHORTLE

 

BOOK NOW  DARRAN GRIFFITHS

£12 plus booking fee

​

BOOK NOW COMBO TICKET - DARRAN plus ROB NEWMAN £24 - plus booking fee (limited availability)

 

 

 

ROB NEWMAN - “On Stage”

LATE SHOW - Door 9pm / NO FOOD ORDERS

Show 9.15pm - 10.15pm / £16 + booking fee

​

Master of the craft Rob Newman is one the UK’s finest and most prolific writers and performers. Fresh from his BBC Radio 4 series Rob Newman On Air, this award-winning comedian brings us choice bits of his recent sell-out tour show. How new scientific discoveries may help us take the right steps to a life after oil. From cave paintings to car-free cities, how speech evolved from song: Who are we? Where are we going? And how do spiders fly? And there’s the prospect maybe of a couple of songs too.

Rob writes and performs regular BBC Radio 4 shows including: Rob Newman's Half Full Philosophy Hour; Total Eclipse of Descartes and The Entirely Accurate Encyclopaedia of Evolution, the latter two of which won the BBC Audio Drama Award for best comedy. He has also written four novels and two non-fiction books. Seventeen years ago he coined the phrase No Planet B, which has since entered the language.
He can do all kinds of voices. All kinds.

“The funniest comedian I have ever seen.” - SUNDAY TIMES

"Refreshingly intelligent and hugely entertaining!”

- THE GUARDIAN

 

BOOK NOW ROB NEWMAN

£16 plus booking fee

​

BOOK NOW COMBO TICKET - DARRAN GRIFFITHS plus ROB NEWMAN £24 - plus booking fee (limited availability)

​

 

WEDNESDAY 12th JULY

SOLO SHOWS

​

 

LAURA SMYTH - "WorkIn Progress"

EARLY SHOW - Door 6pm / Bowl foods until 7pm

Show 7.30pm - 8.30pm / £12 + booking fee

 

Here’s a woman with funny bones. That she was born to do standup was apparent from the moment Laura Smyth first stepped onto the Banana Cabaret stage. She might be a relative newcomer to the comedy circuit but Laura’s taking it by storm. In her first year alone she won the Funny Women Awards 2019, signed with a top agent, performed at clubs all over the country, hosted corporate events, and made her TV debut. We’re over the moon to welcome Laura as she works up material for a new solo show.

A former teacher, and a mother of three, Laura’s comedy is autobiographical and observational, exploring her place in the stupid world. Described as a “blunt speaking East Londoner with a real force-of-nature personality”, her comedy involves “brutally honest ribbing of her kids, her friends and herself, largely intolerant of niceties and affectations.” (Steve Bennett for Chortle Magazine.)

“It’s as if she’s been doing comedy her whole life.” (Bruce Dessau.)

 

“A naturally funny woman.” - JO BRAND

​

BOOK NOW  LAURA SMYTH

£12 plus booking fee

 

BOOK NOW COMBO TICKET - LAURA SMYTH plus ED BYRNE

£24 - plus booking fee (limited availability)

 

ED BYRNE: “Tragedy Plus Time”

LATE SHOW - Door 9pm / No food orders

Show 9.15pm - 10.15pm / £16 + booking fee

 

Attributed to Mark Twain, humour is defined as Tragedy Plus Time. Come and join Ed as he tests that formula by mining the most tragic event in his life for laughs.

Ed Byrne returns to touring with a brand-new show, and he’s bringing it to Balham Comedy Festival. A regular and much-loved guest at our festival, Ed Byrne has previewed several shows with us, including his hit Edinburgh show, “If I’m Honest” in 2019. He has also made special guest appearances on our Best of Banana Cabaret nights.

Ed is a household name from TV appearances now running into a third decade including, The Pilgrimage, Top Gear, QI, Dara & Ed’s Road to Mandalay, Dara & Ed’s Big Adventure, Mock the Week, Graham Norton Show, Have I Got News For You, Live at the Apollo, presenting stints on Comic Relief Bake Off, and most recently as a contestant on BBC One’s Celebrity Best Home Cook. There are radio, stage and film appearances and, with a passion for the outdoors, Ed has launched a walking and talking podcast: Ed Venturing on YouTube (also on his website).

But it’s primarily Ed’s live work that has built up legions of fans both in the UK and abroad. Critically acclaimed, he’s widely considered the observational standup to see. Not to be missed.

 

“A masterful display of the comic’s art, seamless and perfectly timed” - SUNDAY TIMES

 

“At the height of his powers” - THE OBSERVER

​

BOOK NOW ED BYRNE

£16 plus booking fee

​

BOOK NOW COMBO TICKET - LAURA SMYTH plus ED BYRNE

£24 - plus booking fee (limited availability)

 

THURSDAY 13th JULY

SOLO SHOWS

 

TIFF STEVENSON - “Sexy Brain”

EARLY SHOW - Door 6pm / Bowl foods until 7pm / show 7.30pm - 8.30pm / £12 + booking fee

​

The great thing about getting married in your 40s? No one thinks it’s a shotgun wedding. What is a second act anyway? Musings on age acceptance, science, celebrity culture wars, real wars, gout bracelets, slut drops and nature vs nurture.

 

Standup comedian, actor and writer Tiff Stevenson brings a solo show to Balham Comedy Festival for the first time. Her thought provoking and engaging style consistently see Tiff play to packed audiences, garnering ten 4 and 5 stars reviews for just one of her Edinburgh shows alone. Her thought provoking comedy and satire engages audiences worldwide from London, Sydney, Montreal, New York, Shanghai and beyond.

 

Tiff’s weekly live show Old Rope has enjoyed a succession of sell-out runs at the Edinburgh festival. Old Rope showcases new material from up-and coming as well as established headline acts and plays to capacity crowds every Monday night in London. Tiff can boast a long list of TV credits on all the classic shows you’d expect, including Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central (Comedy Central), Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC Two) and Mock The Week (BBC Two). She also features on Comedy Central’s new series Drunk History. As an actor, Tiff’s credits include The Office (BBC Two) and a regular role on BBC Three’s acclaimed show People Just Do Nothing. Radio credits include Front Row (BBC Radio 4), MacCaulay & Co (BBC Radio Scotland) with regular appearances on Comedy Club (BBC Radio 4 Extra), 7 Day Saturday & Sunday with Al Murray (BBC Radio 5 Live) and The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected (BBC Radio Scotland). Tiff also writes regularly for the Metro newspaper.

 

“Hugely accomplished and enjoyably provocative comedian.”

- THE TIMES

 

“Punchy and political but in the best, most human sort of way … charming but hard-hitting and  radical.” - THE MIRROR

 

BOOK NOW TIFF STEVENSON £12 plus booking fee

​

BOOK NOW COMBO TICKET - TIFF STEVENSON plus MILTON JONES £22 - plus booking fee (limited availability)

​

MILTON JONES - “OLD AND NEW CLASSICS”

LATE SHOW - Door 9pm / No food orders / Show 9.15pm - 10.15pm / £16 + booking fee

​

Does Milton Jones really need an introduction? A loyal and ever-popular Balham Comedy Festival alumnus, Milton returns this year with another solo show, which he describes thusly: “In terms of jokes - New Tricks meets Antiques Roadshow.”

With his anything-could-happen wild man, endearingly neurotic manner and appearance, the one-man gag factory that is Milton Jones is king of the surreal one-liner. It’s a quirky brand of humour which is guaranteed to appeal, clever, clean and never offensive. He’s brilliantly funny and to see him live is to fall in awe of his skill.

Milton appears regularly on BBC TV and Radio, and is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards. With truly international appeal, his live tour shows are watched by hundreds of thousands of delighted comedy fans. He has also written a novel called Where Do Comedians Go When They Die? which was described by the crimewriter and comedian Mark Billingham as “Hilarious, moving, and truthful. Finally a book that tells you what it’s really like to tell jokes for a living. And no-one tells jokes better than Milton Jones”.

 

“The wild-haired Jones has raised wordplay to the level of fine art… fast, absurd and very funny.” - RADIO TIMES

 

 

“The twisty little lexical tricks just keep coming as Jones explores the infinite flexibilities of the English language.”

- THE GUARDIAN

​

BOOK NOW MILTON JONES £16 plus booking fee

​

BOOK NOW COMBO TICKET - TIFF STEVENSON plus MILTON JONES £22 - plus booking fee (limited availability)

​

​

FRIDAY 14th JULY

BEST OF BANANA CABARET

Door 6.30pm / Meal orders until 7.30pm / Show 8.30pm - 10.45pm / £18 + booking fee

 

PAUL THORNE

Paul Thorne owns any stage he walks onto. A wonderfully assured performer, his provocative topical gags, spontaneous wit and quirky, surreal comedy songs justify his reputation as first class live performer. He’s a well-respected headliner, with beautifully crafted material, stagecraft and crowd work that make it all look easy. Simply one of the UK’s most sought-after stand-up talents, Paul is also a regular member of The Comedy Store’s Cutting Edge team, performing material based on the week’s news in this prestigious long-running topical show. A comedian’s comedian, you can’t call yourself a comedy buff if you’ve never seen Paul Thorne!

 

“A must-see comedian.” - THE GUARDIAN

 

DANIEL FOXX

Whether it’s growing up gay, pop culture or politics, Daniel uses a light touch and a quick wit to find humour in unexpected places. An award-winning comedian and writer from London, Daniel’s easy-going delivery and sharp jokes have quickly established him as one of the most exciting new acts on the UK comedy circuit, while his comedy sketch videos have earned him a huge online following and millions of views. On screen, Daniel has performed as part of the BBC New Comedy Awards. On stage, he has endeared himself to audiences around the UK, provided tour support for Josh Widdicombe and Sofie Hagen. He has a host of accolades including a Writers’ Guild Award nomination, Winner of the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence and Finalist in the Chortle Student Comedy Awards.

“Funny and filthy.” – GRAHAM NORTON

 

OMAR BADAWY

Omar is a stand-up comedian who knows how to find the funny in the grey areas of life. Born into two distinct cultures, Arab and British, Omar has a unique perspective on the world that will leave you laughing, thinking, and maybe even rethinking what it means to straddle two worlds.

With his quick wit and hilarious observations, he’ll have you laughing from start to finish. But it’s not just about the jokes – Omar’s story is one of navigating the complexities of cultural identity and finding a way to make it work. From arranging his own mother’s second marriage to encounters with EDL-badge-wearing bouncers, Omar makes these unique experiences both relatable and

hilarious.
 

“A veritable gag-machine, with tightly-packed zingers… stereotypes are skewered in a routine that’s tightly delivered with confidence and poise.” - CHORTLE

 

SHARON WANJOHI

This relatively new kid on the comedy block, Sharon Wanjohi secured our attention immediately. She’s happy to shock, and toys cheerfully with absurdity. She talks (maybe too much) about children's films and the cartoon dilfs that inspired a generation of sexual awakenings. And she thinks Ratatouille is a commentary on race. A Chortle Student Comedy Award Finalist and Funny Women Stage Award Finalist, Sharon’s comedy career is off to an impressive start. In 2022 she featured in the Channel 4 online series Jokes Only A … Can Tell and The Big Breakfast. This year she has appeared on The Laura Whitmore Breakfast Show and you can catch her on ITV’s The Stand Up Sketch Show.

 

‘She impresses with a set with plenty to say about race and gender, laced with sarcasm but delivered with a relaxed smile… firmly on the ‘one to watch list”’ - CHORTLE

 

JOHN MOLONEY - compere (as above)

 

BOOK NOW BEST OF BANANA CABARET FRI 14th

£18 - plus booking fee

​

​

SATURDAY 15th JULY

BEST OF BANANA CABARET

Door 6.30pm / Meal orders until 7.30pm / Show 8.30pm - 10.45pm / £18 + booking fee

​

KERRY GODLIMAN

Perhaps best known for her superb performances as an actor, Kerry Godliman is also an phenomenal stand-up comedian, her onstage persona a mix of next-door-neighbour, busy mum, and that friend from uni who knew how to live it large. She always leaves the audience wanting more. Charmingly straight-talking and quick-witted Kerry Godliman is simply one of the country’s best performers.

She is all over the TV (Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Taskmaster, Hypothetical, Ultimate Worrier, The Jonathan Ross Show, The Royal Variety Performance and 8 Out of 10 Cats and more), and BBC Radio 4, (The News Quiz, The Now Show, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and Just a Minute), as well as her own series Kerry’s List, and a starring role in the hit series The Wilsons Save the World. Kerry also hosted a podcast series called Memory Lane during lockdown.

Kerry’s acting talents have seen her receive critical acclaim for her roles in After Life, Whitstable Pearl, Call the Midwife, Derek, Save Me, Bad Move, Triggerpoint, Carters Get Rich, Mascots, and Adult Material.

Kerry has been touring recently with her stand-up show, BOSH.

 

“Forthright of opinion but always happy to chuck herself under the bus. Vigour, charm and plenty of good gags.”

- THE GUARDIAN

 

“Exquisitely crowd-pleasing… some sublime culture clash material.” - EVENING STANDARD

 

ANDY ASKINS

Andy Askins is a distinctive, original talent, a highly sought-after headliner. And comics love him! A diminutive figure exuding vulnerability, he steps up to the mic armed with a guitar and a cheeky grin - an overwhelmingly misleading demeanour which heightens the impact of the killer lines he delivers. A talented musician with a captivating voice, Andy has an expertly crafted routine littered with an eclectic mix of tremendously funny offbeat original comic songs and parodies. With impeccable timing, and material as strong as the songs, Andy has audiences in the palm of his hands. Andy is also one of a very select group to be awarded the Afghanistan campaign medal for his contributions which included several tours to soldiers operating on the frontline.

 

“Brilliant and unique.” - JOHN BISHOP

 

“One of my all-time favourites.” - JASON MANFORD

​

KAE KURD

Smart, sharp and brilliantly astute, Kae Kurd is a young British-Kurdish standup, and one of the UK’s fastest rising stars. Onstage it’s clear he’s enjoying himself, and that’s contagious. Irresistibly playful and assured, he can wind an audience around his little finger. Kae creates and curates content across a range of platforms. His debut special, “Kurd Your Enthusiasm” was an overwhelming success receiving over 100k views when released on YouTube, and praised for “championing the alternative voice”. His tour “The Spoken Kurd” sold out in record time. This man’s going places, and we get him on the Banana Cabaret stage as often as we can.

 

 

“Soon to be a household name.” - EVENING STANDARD

 

FINLAY CHRISTIE

With elegant, well-crafted routines, witty wordplay and skilful comic timing, Finlay Christie uses his youthful looks and background of privilege to lampoon himself and his generation with utterly charming effect. He never fails to win over an audience. He has appeared on ITV2’s Stand-up Sketch Show, the BBC New Comedy Awards and has amassed over 100 million views across YouTube and TikTok for his stand-up and sketches. He also won the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny competition in 2019 while still a student, and was nominated for NextUp’s “Best Show” award in 2022 for his solo show OK Zoomer. The boy’s going places.

​

“Delivering a hugely impressive show that could legitimately see him labelled as the voice of his generation.” - CHORTLE

 

KELLY CONVEY

Kelly Convey is a comedian who is not one to mince her words when giving audiences an insight into what modern women really think. With her outspoken and forward-thinking musings, Kelly is real, refreshing and relatable. She has no filter when it comes to her opinions on sex and society, sharing these generously in her hilarious wholehearted performance. You feel like you’ve known her for years. With a face like butter wouldn’t melt and a mouth like a white van man, Kelly brings a side-splitting mix of feminine and ladette style to subjects women rarely talk about in public.

As seen on ITV2’s The Stand Up Sketch Show, Kelly can be seen regularly supporting some of the biggest names in comedy on the road, including Alan Carr, Russell Kane and Joanne McNally. Without a doubt, one to watch.

 

“One of the most rapidly-rising new comics on the circuit.” - BRITISH COMEDY GUIDE

​

 

BOOK NOW  BEST OF BANANA CABARET SAT 15th  

£18- plus booking fee

​

​

​