Working class comedy collective Best in Class has announced new 2024 projects and issued a call out to the TV industry for support.

Best in Class is a crowdfunded profit sharing initiative that champions the rich talent of working class performers. The organisation has enabled over 30 working class comedians to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe since 2018 on their mixed bill showcase. Since 2022 they have assisted a further 30 performers with their fringe costs through a bursary scheme.

Founder Sian Davies says “Since starting Best in Class in 2018, we have seen even more working class performers being priced out of the arts. I refuse to stand by while the biggest open access arts festival in the world becomes only affordable to people with private wealth. Working class performers deserve the opportunity to experience the fringe, to perform, to succeed and to fail in that environment. With podcasts and social media there are more routes into the industry now. But why should the fringe route be closed to working class people? Why should they miss out on that experience?”

Best in Class has been a runaway success at the Edinburgh Fringe. There is a real buzz around this group of comics bringing something different to the table. There is also a proven record of success in the growing alumni of the scheme. Tom Mayhew has had two series of his show on Radio 4. Jordan Gray was nominated for Best Show. Micah Hall went on to perform in the Pleasance Reserve. Tamsyn Kelly has her debut tour this year and has just written a radio show with Dawn French. Lindsey Santoro was nominated for Best Newcomer. Anna Thomas wrote and starred in Lady Bigfoot. Jamie Hutchinson is in the midst of a sell out debut tour. William Stone went on to host Live At The Moth Club. Sian Davies, herself has recorded for Comedy Central and has a special on Next Up. 

John Meagher who took part in 2022 said "Best in Class gave me a platform to perform in Edinburgh when I didn't think it was possible. We were seen by major players in the industry, and I am sure it was a big help in me getting an agent."

The success carried through from the showcase to the bursary scheme. In 2022 Best In Class were awarded the Panel Prize at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. They redistributed the £5000 prize money to other working class performers in smaller £500 bursaries. Davies says “It was an open application process, we had money that we knew could help other people with their costs. It was never about backing the right horse or riding on the coattails of those we thought would do well, which can often be the case in the fringe economy.”

Impressively, of those awarded bursaries, two were nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. With one of the winners of the newly established (ISH) Edinburgh Comedy Awards also being a Best in Class bursary recipient and five recipients being long listed. Which goes to show, when working class performers are given a seat at the table, they consistently deliver. 

Best in Class also has an exciting project coming up in February, funded by a BBC Comedy Grant. Having identified a gap in working class comics taking the step in writing for TV and radio they are holding a workshop. The aim is to upskill performers by demystifying some of the jargon around the industry, give them tangible writers room experience and make useful industry connections. Production company Tiger Aspect are hosting the workshop and Best in Class wants other industry professionals to come forward and get involved.

Davies said: “We’re putting 25 working class comics in a room with the hope of furthering careers and making connections. I strongly believe the next great sitcom or topical comedy could come from this room. Time and again working class performers turned writers have shown their unique experiences and talent, all they need is the opportunity. Think of The Royle Family, Phoenix Nights, Almas Not Normal, real stories told by people with lived experience.”

Davies is encouraging any industry professionals who want to feed into the project to get in touch with her directly. “It’s time the industry really got behind the talent we have been supporting through Best in Class. I’m calling out to production companies, TV channels, industry gatekeepers and kingmakers to come down to our workshop. Be in the room with us and work with us to create projects showcasing diverse working class talent. Because isn’t that what you are always saying you need?”

Applications are now open for the 2024 Best in Class Edinburgh Fringe showcase, with a fundraising page now live to help cover the costs. Any surplus funds raised will be put towards bursaries for working class acts in 2024.

Davies said “We want to support as many working class acts as possible. With rising energy bills, inflation and the cost of living crisis, even more working class performers risk being priced out of the arts. Everything we do is driven by donations and ticket sales. All of our schemes are oversubscribed, but when the money dries up we have to draw the line. We want to support as many people as we can, we can only do this with support from the public and the industry.

Any donation is hugely beneficial. but if you are unable to financially contribute, please consider sharing our campaign or coming to one of our shows. Crowd funding is a lot like unionism, one voice can't make much of a difference but when we join together, we have the power to change the world!”

Donate to the Best in Class 2024 campaign:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/best-in-class-2024

Apply to take part in Best in Class 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Showcase:

https://forms.gle/xMskB7msBC2KZBm26