One of London's best comedy clubs is closing after more than 40 years

Think of your favourite mainstream comedian – there’s a good chance they cut their comedy teeth at Balham’s Banana Cabaret, which is sadly set to close after more than four decades in the biz.

Housed in the Bedford, a pub and live music space with capacity for an audience of 250, Banana Cabaret was launched in 1983. This makes it one of London’s longest-running comedy clubs to maintain residency in the same venue (just behind top dog Downstairs at the King’s Head in Crouch End). Famous comics who’ve previously tread its boards include Eddie Izzard, Sara Pascoe, Ed Byrne, Lee Evans, Jo Brand, Zoe Lyons, Jack Dee, Rob Brydon, Sarah Millican and Catherine Tate.

All in all, then, its departure isn’t great news for London comedy – but it’s not all doom and gloom. Before it splits, Banana Cabaret will host a Farewell Festival, with Byrne and Lyons joined by the likes of Al Murray, Marcus Brigstocke, Lucy Porter and Simon Evans.

In total, 45 acts will perform across 11 shows at the venue throughout May, while Tim Vine and Harry Hill are due to make guest appearances at the Best of Banana Cabaret, which will run every weekend in March and April.

Ed Byrne, a staunch fan of the long-running comedy institution, described Banana Cabaret as ‘one of the truly great comedy clubs in the UK’.

So, why is Banana Cabaret shutting up shop? When producer Dave Vickers announced the news on Instagram in February, he explained: ‘I’m ready to retire. I’ve loved it, there have been so many amazing gigs. Highlights include seeing Ian Cognito for the first time, and watching colleagues like Lee Mack and Sara Pascoe become household names.’

In fact, the producer’s retirement alone marks a blow for London comedy. When Time Out included Banana Cabaret in our round-up of the best comedy clubs in London, we said: ‘Comics love Vickers – he gave many of them a spot at his top-level club in their early days – so they often pop back to SW12.’

Join us, then, in raising a toast to Banana Cabaret, one of the most a-peeling comedy clubs in the city. 

Full listings for Banana Cabaret’s Farewell Festival, which runs from May 1-30

• Friday May 1: Ed Byrne, Eric Rushton, Otiz Cannelloni, Alexandra Haddow – compère. Door 6.30pm. Meal orders until 7.30pm. Show 8.30pm – 10.30pm. £20 + booking fee
• Saturday May 2: Milton Jones, Tania Edwards, Steve Gribbin, Michael May – compère. Door 6.30pm. Meal orders until 7.30pm. Show 8.30pm - 10.30pm. £20 + BF
• Friday May 8: Jo Caulfield, Mark Thomas, Roger Monkhouse, Ross Smith – compère. Door 6.30pm. Meal orders until 7.30pm. Show 8.30pm. 10.30pm / £20 + BF 
• Saturday May 9: Simon Evans, Mark Thomas, Sally Ann Hayward, Finlay Christie, John Moloney – compère. Door 6.30pm. Meal orders until 7.15pm. Show 8.15pm – 10.30pm. £22 + BF
• Friday May 15: Rhys James, Lucy Porter, Laura Smyth, Andrew Bird, Paul Thorne – compère. Door 6.30pm. Meal orders until 7.30pm. Show 8.30pm – 10.30pm. £22 + BF
• Saturday May 16: Jen Brister, Laura Smyth, Joe Wells, Luisa Omielan, Jimmy McGhie – compère. Door 6.30pm. Meal orders until 7.15pm. Show 8.15pm – 10.30pm. £22 + BF
• Friday May 22: Zoe Lyons, Russell Hicks, TBA, Ross Smith – compère. Door 6.30pm. Meal orders until 7.30pm. Show 8.30pm – 10.30pm. £20 + BF
• Saturday May 23: Jeff Innocent, Eleanor Tiernan, Peter Brush, Ross Smith – compère. Door 6.30pm. Meal orders until 7.30pm. Show 8.30pm – 10.30pm. £20 + BF 
• Tuesday May 26: Al Murray – full tour show: All You Need Is Guv. £25 + £2.73 (proceeds to charity). Door 6.30pm. No meal orders. Show 7.30pm – 9.30pm. £25 + BF
• Friday May 29: Marcus Brigstocke, Shaparak Khorsandi, Ben Norris, John Moloney – compère. Door 6.30pm. Meal orders until 7.30pm. Show 8.30pm – 10.30pm. £22 + BF
• Saturday May 30: Stephen K. Amos, Mary Bourke, Ben Norris, Jeff Innocent, Ross Smith – compère. Door 6.30pm. Meal orders until 7.15pm. Show 8.15pm – 10.30pm. £22 + BF

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