Big names join final month's line-up

Some big names are to bid farewell to Banana Cabaret. one of Britain’s longest-running comedy clubs, when it ends its 43-year residency at The Bedford pub in Balham, south London.

The club will mark its farewell with a festival throughout May, featuring 45 acts across 11 shows. The bill includes Ed Byrne, Zoe Lyons, Milton Jones and Al Murray, who will perform his show All You Need Is Guv.

Also appearing are Marcus Brigstocke, Lucy Porter, Simon Evans, Ben Norris, Jo Caulfield and Mark Thomas.

The club’s producer, Dave Vickers, previously said said he was ready to retire. ’I’ve loved it, there have been so many amazing gigs,’ he said. 'Highlights include seeing Ian Cognito for the first time, and watching colleagues like Lee Mack and Sara Pascoe become household names.’

Byrne described Banana Cabaret as ’one of the truly great comedy clubs in the UK.’

Here are the listings for the final Banana Cabaret nights.

Always Be Comedy will be taking over the venue on weekends  from September 4, with some one-off shows before then. It already runs several nights a week at The Tommyfield in Kennington and Thursdays at The Trafalgar in Chelsea.

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Published: 16 Mar 2026