After successful Edinburgh Fringe runs in 2018/19, Best in Class returns in 2020 with fresh line up of the hottest working class comedy heroes.
Best in Class was founded by Liverpool comedian Sian Davies who was fed up of class, money and social status being used as a barrier to performing. In 2018 she was invited to audition for a spot on an Edinburgh Fringe show, if successful she was told she would have to pay £1800 to the promoter by the end of the week to secure her place. She set up a crowdfunding page to help with her costs. Within an hour the promoter called her back and dropped her from the audition. Apparently she was not the sort of person they wanted to work with.
Sian decided to turn the situation into something positive. Realising that the barriers facing working class performers in the arts are systemic, she set up Best in Class.
Over the last two years the project has enabled 16 working class comedians to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. The comedians work tirelessly in the run up to the festival to crowdfund the costs involved with taking a show to the fringe. Crucially, none of the acts pay to participate in the show and they all receive payment for the work they do.
Best In Class has been a runaway success at the Edinburgh Fringe. Audiences flock to see the show, queueing early for a seat and selling it out daily. There is a real buzz around this group of comics bringing something different to the table at the world's biggest arts festival, which is often dominated by middle class voices.
For their 2020 campaign the Best In Class team have developed a relationship with comedy festivals across the UK, with showcases coming to Leicester, VAULT, Brighton and Greater Manchester. Each showcase will be slightly different with a selection of the acts performing at each one. This is a great way of bringing talented, working class comedians to more audience members and gathering more support for the project.
Best In Class alumni have gone on to achieve fantastic successes within their comedy careers. Graduates of the project 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? and acts have also provided tour support for Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Fern Brady and Jason Manford.
The 2020 Best in Class line up features:
Tamsyn Kelly
Comedian, writer and director Tamsyn grew up in Penzance and has featured on Channel 4, BBC 3 and BBC Radio 1. "An extremely likeable and versatile talent who will go far. She is a fast, brutal, captivating comic with grit and humanity." Entertainment Focus
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 recently featured on the BBC documentary ‘Who Are You Calling Fat.’ “Relatable and current, he appeals to everyone” (Tenfoot City Magazine).
Laura Smyth
East Londoner Laura is The Funny Women Stage Award Winner 2019. Described as a “force of nature” (Steve Bennett, Chortle), she is new to the comedy circuit but “sounds as if she has been doing it all her life” (Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke) and is a “naturally funny woman” (Jo Brand).
Lovdev Barpaga
Birmingham based Lovdev has appeared on BBC Asian Network Comedy and was 2017 UK Pun 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).
Anna Thomas
“Welsh starlet, Anna is the breakthrough act of the moment and highly touted for a successful career in comedy. Comparisons with fellow welsh comic, Rhod Gilbert don’t end with their accents; Anna’s delightfully grumpy and gruff delivery leave audiences belly laughing” (Punch Drunk Comedy).
Chris Copestake
Originally from Grimsby, Chris was a 2019 Leicester Circuit Breaker and has been described as “an endearing and natural comic talent” (Union Jack Radio), “a great up and coming star” (Manfords Comedy Club) and “Instantly likeable' (Notts Comedy Review).
Sam Mayes
Cheeky Geordie comic Sam is making waves on the northeast comedy circuit and beyond with her smart, self-deprecating and relatable tales of love, life and booze.
Nathan Eagle
Winner of Portsmouth comedian of the year. "One of the most original exciting new acts I have seen in ages" (Zoe Lyons).
Preview/fundraiser shows:
10th February Cosy Club, Leicester (Leicester Comedy Festival)
20th March, The Vaults, Waterloo (VAULT Festival)
8th May The Bees Mouth, Brighton (Brighton Fringe)
6th July The Kings Arms (Greater Manchester Fringe)
9th July Cottingham Comedy Club, Hull
TBC Liverpool Hot Water Comedy Club
Tickets: http://bestinclass.org.uk/
Also Edinburgh Fringe: 6-30th August (venue and time TBC)
Fundraising page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/best-in-class-2020
