<div>Best in Class is a network of working class comedians. We support our community through training, bursaries and networking opportunities.
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<div>Since 2018 Best in Class have been supporting working class comedians to perform at the world’s biggest arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe.
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<div>We have created an award winning comedy showcase which platforms and champions the rich talent of working class comedians.
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<div>Donate now to support working class comedians on their journey to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2026.
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<div>Best in Class was founded by comedian Sian Davies, who was fed up of class, money and social status being used as a barrier to performing.
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<div>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.
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<div>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.
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<div>Sian found eight other working class comedians and put on a crowd funded, profit sharing show at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe. Since then, the project has grown into a movement that not only platforms and upskills working class comedians, but also campaigns for change within the comedy industry.
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<div>The comedians selected for the Fringe showcase work tirelessly in the run up to the festival. They are guided through the process of running a show, from writing press releases, to marketing and tech skills. Crucially, none of the acts pay to participate and they all receive payment for the work they do.
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<div>The Best In Class showcase 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 dominated by middle and upper class voices.
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<div>Best In Class alumni have gone on to achieve fantastic successes within their comedy careers. The showcase has proven to be a great training ground for working class acts to find their feet at the Edinburgh Fringe.
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<div>Best In Class were awarded the Panel Prize at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards and a Fringe Recovery grant in 2022. Followed by a BBC Comedy grant in 2023 and the Ish Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize in 2024. These awards were repurposed as bursaries for individual artists. This increased the reach of working class acts we could support. Best in Class now facilitates online and in person workshops and offers bursaries when possible to support their community of working class artists.
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<div>This year we hope 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. Any donation is hugely beneficial. but if you are unable to financially contribute, please consider sharing our campaign on your socials or coming to one of our shows.
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<div>Crowd funding is a lot like unionism, one voice can't make much of a difference but when we join together, we can change the world!
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Jo McDonnell

Gemma Ball

Amit Mistry

Ross Mackenzie

Harriet Kemsley

Mary O’Connell

Rachel Wilson

Hazel Nash

Jane Renton

Kay Stonham

Isobel McConnell

Leslie Gold

Angela Barnes

Sapphire Mcintosh

Gemma Bell

Lee Pantry

Louise Kenny

Best in Class 2026 - supporting working class artists

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