Best in Class is a show that champions the talent of working-class comedians. 100% crowdfunded and profit sharing, this is Best in Class’s third year and after showcasing 16 comics, it shows no signs of stopping with a fresh new line up of working-class comedians!
Best in Class was founded by Liverpool comedian and 2019 Funny Women Awards finalist Sian Davies who felt that class, money and social status being used as a barrier to performing. 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 and the rest is history!
For their 2020 campaign the Best In Class team have developed a relationship with comedy festivals across the UK, with showcases coming to Leicester Fring, VAULT Festival, Brighton Fringe and Greater Manchester Fringe. 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 has developed a reputation for identifying talented acts at a pivotal stage in their career. 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? Our acts have also provided tour support for industry legends 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 2019 Funny Women Stage Award Winner. Described as a “force of nature” Chortle, she is new to the comedy circuit but “sounds as if she has been doing it all her life” Beyond The Joke and is a “naturally funny woman” according to 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” by Joe Lycett and “totally hilarious… effortlessly funny” by 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” Manford’s 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” says 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
For tickets visit: http://bestinclass.org.uk/
