Best in Class is back with a bang at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. The crowdfunded, profit-sharing initiative, founded by 2019 Funny Women Awards runner-up Sian Davies, champions the talent of working-class comedians.
Best In Class alumni have gone on to achieve fantastic successes within their comedy careers with the show acting as springboard for talented comics. This year’s lineup, who you can catch at The Counting House Lounge daily from 4th-5th August at 8.45 pm, includes:
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 Square 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
“Great timing, great presence and punchlines. A much needed fresh comic voice from Northern Ireland at a time when we most need to hear it.” Jarlath Regan, An Irishman Abroad Podcast.
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 Are You 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 the 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.
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 oversubscribed, 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 crowdfunding campaign has already had some big industry donations from companies such as Hat Trick and Turtle Canyon. However the waiting list for people eligible to receive the bursary is now beyond the initial Fringe Recovery grant and the additional money raised.
To support the work of Best in Class click here.
Best in Class 2022 will be 20:45, daily 4th-28th August at The Counting House Lounge. Tickets are available in advance here 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.
