Comedy of the week: Balham Comedy Festival, Bedford, London SW12

Mischievous: Mark Thomas tries out 100 Acts of Minor Dissent (Steve Ullathorne )

Thanks largely to the efforts of (top banana) David Vickers, the Banana Cabaret has become one of London's best-loved comedy nights – and a tasty-looking bunch are lined up for its sophomore festival.

Milton Jones is among the picks with his very silly one-liners on opening night – and other big-hitters include Lee Mack, Ed Byrne, Al Murray, Lucy Porter and pedlar of refined bobbins Tony Law.

Elsewhere, mischievous Mark Thomas tries out 100 Acts of Minor Dissent, John Hegley presents comic verse steeped in bathos – and erstwhile Coalition-basher Marcus Brigstocke says "Screw politics! Let's talk about me!" in Je M'Accuse – I Am Marcus.

balhamcomedyfestival.com, Friday to 13 July