Best in Class is going to be a great night out at the Greater Manchester Fringe. Expect an evening full of passionate and topical humour at the Kings Arms on 14th July as the comics put the world to rights. The event description offers a litany of 'Broken Britain' topics, so there's plenty for our acts to have a go at...
'Sponsored by Spam, chippy teas, waste grounds, hanging around, knock-off trainers, a fella your dad knows, weed, the unions, crap schools, bunking off, electric meters, Brixton, Toxteth, Grenfell, hand-me-down clothes, caravans, the back of a lorry, failed MOTs, failed GCSEs, bus stops, payday loans, bacon, pubs, pints, tobacco, Margaret f*cking Thatcher, Cash Converters, Universal Credit, zero-hour contracts, jam butties, gravy, pyjamas, broken glass, broken homes, playing out, white lightning, E, backyards, slums, dying young, the NHS, tired dads, fierce mums and empowerment.'
Best in Class is a crowd funded profit sharing show that champions working class comedians...
"The show was born out of necessity" says Sian Davies of Best In Class "Last year I was asked to audition for an Edinburgh Fringe showcase. I was told if I was successful I would need to put up £1,800 by the end of the week to secure my place. My friend set up an online fundraiser to help me with the costs. Within an hour of that going live, I was dropped from the audition. I was so upset. Not just for myself but for all the other working class comedians who were being held back from performing at the world's biggest arts festival due to the costs involved."
Undeterred by having the stage whipped from under her feet, Sian decided to create a show that put the spotlight on working class comics; "I wouldn't ask them for any money to take part and they would all receive a share of any profits made."
It's a worthy endeavour and allows new and interesting comedians a shot at taking their act to festivals in major cities... "There is a general misunderstanding that comedy is a meritocracy: that those with talent will rise to the top" she adds "However, the reality is that it cost thousands of pounds to take a show to Edinburgh, which is the pinnacle of the comedy industry."
It sounds like a worthwhile and entertaining night out, with the performers getting stuck into the big issues that affect us all directly. Sian discusses the difficulty in honing the perfect line up for the shows..."The standard of acts applying was really high. I try to have a representation of working class people from across the UK; I think that it's important to hear as many voices as possible. I will be spending the next six months working with the acts...Yes, they need to be funny, but they also need to be committed to fundraising and working on the project in the run up to Edinburgh."
On the importance of using comedy as a political tool, Sian offers, "Everything in this world is a political issue. Can't get a doctor's appointment? Trapped in negative equity? Using a food bank? Went to a good school? Bought your council house? Bus routes, shopping centres, benefits, emergency services...They are all the result of a political policy somewhere along the line."
Best in Class offers an exciting and edgy comedy night out. Get along and support the next generation of comedians. The ticket sales will fund and support a trip to Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It's crowd-funded profit-share that could see the rise of a new, relevant voice in comedy. Hopefully, we'll see a Salford comedy star in the making.
Best In Class
Sunday 14th July
Kings Arms 9pm
Tickets £5 – to book click here
Words by Ian Leslie
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