The line-up has been announced for the Best In Class shows at the Edinbrgh Fringe this August.
Best in Class is a crowdfunded, profit sharing initiative that champions the talent of working class comedians. The show returns to Edinburgh Fringe this August with a squad of talented performers, who are more than ready to prove their worth.
The project was set up in 2018 by Sian Davies, a working class comedian from Liverpool. Realising that the barriers facing working class performers in the arts are systemic, she set up Best in Class. In 2018/19 Best In Class enabled 16 working class comedians to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. The acts work tirelessly to cover the costs involved through showcases and crowdfunding. Crucially, none of the acts pay to participate in the show and they all received payment for the work they do.
Best In Class alumni have gone on to achieve fantastic successes within their comedy careers with the show acting as springboard for talented comics. Acts have signed for agents, gained TV work, created sell out shows and had critically acclaimed work. Best In Class has been represented in the finals of some of the biggest comedy competitions in the UK, including the BBC New Comedy Award, Funny Women Awards, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the year and So You Think You’re Funny?
The Best in Class 2022 line up:
Molly McGuinness
Molly McGuinness is a comedian from Salford who has been rapidly on the rise. This year she was a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Award and winner of the Kings Arms Camden Comedy Competition in 2021. She can also be heard on the Damn Daniel podcast.
“A brilliantly dry and very funny comic, with super confident stage presence and wonderfully off-centre killer gags.” Joe Lycett
Micah Hall
Calm, laid-back and confident. Micah has recently been a finalist for the Southend On Sea Best New Comer award, runner-up for the Brighton Grin New Comedian competition, and Comedy Store’s King Gong Winner (August 2021).
“Definitely one to watch!” Russell Kane
Anna Thomas
BBC New Comedy Award winner, Anna Thomas, is the Welsh wonder storming the comedy scene with her unique offbeat flavour of tomfoolery. “She's an odd fish, that's for sure, but owns it.” Chortle. “Super refreshing and original in an often sea of beige… one of them with funny bones she is.” Barking Tales. “She’s like if Bjork was Welsh and did comedy.” Gag ‘N’ Bone Man Comedy
John Meagher
Runner up in the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition, finalist in Hackney Empire New Act and Leicester Sq Theatre New Comedian of the Year awards. This success has quickly gained John a following for his timely writing and bold performances throughout the UK and abroad, and led to being named tour support for Northern Ireland’s biggest ever stand-up Patrick Kielty on his UK and Ireland tour.
“John is a very sharp comedian…with a subtlety to his stuff I didn’t have (in younger days)” Patrick Kielty, Irish independent 23/04/22
Tamsyn Kelly
Tamsyn Kelly is a working class comedian, actor and writer from Penzance, Cornwall. As a comedian Tamsyn is currently supporting Kiri Pritchard-McLean on her tour Home Truths, while developing her own hour.
Tamsyn has recently appeared in the Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2) alongside Seann Walsh, and was a regional finalist in the BBC New Comedian of the Year Award 2021 (BBC One). Tamsyn currently has various scripted projects in development with UK TV channels. She’s also a writer and performer on a new Cornish based BBC Radio 4 series which is due out later this year.
'A fast, brutal, captivating comic with grit and humanity...A compelling hour of storytelling.' Entertainment Focus
'Hilarious' The Independent
'An incredibly likeable and intelligent comedian' Theatre Weekly
Jed Salisbury
Touted as one of the best things from Hull since Chip Spice, multi-award winning Jed is a regular on the UK comedy circuit and featured on the BBC documentary ‘Who AreYou Calling Fat.’ “Relatable and current, he appeals to everyone” (Tenfoot City Magazine).
Sapphire McIntosh
Sapphire is a football playing, vox popping, observational, high energy comedian. Born and raised in Leeds. She's been curating her own style of comedy for a number of years and mixes comedy with a slice of realism into everything that she does. Notable accolades include: BBC Caroline Aherne Semi Finalists 2018, Fringe of Colour Performer 2021, Max Turner 3rd Prize 2022. Channel 4 Reporter and array of football related accolades.
Lovdev Barpaga
Birmingham based Lovdev has appeared on BBC Asian Network Comedy and was 2017 UKPun Champion. He is described as "one of the most brilliant daft comics you will ever see" (Joe Lycett) and “totally hilarious... effortlessly funny” (Jo Enright).
Sian Davies
Best in Class founder Sian, will be popping up on the show to help out and working hard behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. However with her hotly anticipated debut hour also at the festival she will be less involved than usual with the showcase, letting the comics take the reins for more hosting duties.
Best in Class 2022 will be 20:45, daily 4th-28th August at The Counting House Lounge. Tickets are available in advance here https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/best-in-class Or pay what you can on the door.
Sian Davies, About Time is at 17:40, daily 3rd-28th August at Gilded Balloon Teviot, Turret room. Tickets here https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sian-davies-about-time
With the help of a Fringe Recovery grant, Best in Class are supporting even more working class performers at this year's festival. Any working class acts who are doing a full run can apply for a House of Class accommodation bursary and if awarded will receive £500 to help with costs.
As predicted the bursary is already over subscribed, meaning fundraising will continue right up until the festival and be filtered out as it becomes available. The more money Best in Class can raise, the more artists they can support. The crowd funding campaign has already had some big industry donations from companies such as Hat Trick and Turtle Canyon, as well as support from other comics with Darren Harriott, Leo Reich and Ania Magliano all donating. However the waiting list for people eligible to receive the bursary is now beyond the initial Fringe Recovery grant and the additional money raised.
Anyone to contribute to the online fundraiser and even a small donation will help to support the work of Best in Class. https://www.gofundme.com/f/best-in-class-house-of-class
