BEST IN CLASS

AS PART OF EDINBURGH FRINGE 2020 Venue: Laughing Horse @ The counting House (Lounge) Date: 6-30th August 2020 Time: 18:30 Fundraising page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/best-in-class-2020 Picture Downloads: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ghn0pnweuzd78vk/AACjlayyza-pMlsTVtCwUwtea?dl=0

Best in Class is a show that champions the talent of working class comedians. 100% crowdfunded and profit sharing, as it should be! After hugely 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 with 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 and the rest is history! 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 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 . Now that’s impressive!

bestinclass.org.uk [email protected] #BestInClass20 FB @wearebestinclass The 2020 Best in Class line up features: ​ ​

Tamsyn Kelly Comedian, writer and director Tamsyn grew up in Penzance and has featured on , 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 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).

bestinclass.org.uk [email protected] #BestInClass20 FB @wearebestinclass