Scheme promotes working-class comics

The line-up for Best in Class 2023 – the showcase championing working-class comedians has been announced.

The scheme, started by Sian Davies 2018 to help stand-ups to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe without the financial burden, was awarded the Edinburgh Comedy Awards’ Panel Prize last year

Best in Class  have fundraising shows at the Leicester Comedy Festival tomorrow, at Vault Festival in London on March 18 and Brighton Fringe on May 5 as well as a show at Soho Theatre on April 18.

The 2023 line-up, with their own descriptions, are:

Jacob Nussey

Jacob Nussey unassumingly draws in audiences with his deadpan style, sharp jokes, and ill-fated anecdotes with clever punchlines. Jacob won West Didsbury Comedy Festival New Act of the Year and was a finalist of Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year in 2022. After reaching the semi-finals of British Comedian of the Year and semi-finals of So You Think You’re Funny in 2021. Jacob has been named by Chortle as one to watch for 2023. He’s seriously funny and well worth seeing in person!

Katie Mitchell

Katie Mitchell is a queer working class comic who grew up on a council estate and began comedy in sixth form in 2016. She is alternative yet pervasive, revelling in main-stream comedy environments where her infectious, joyful and silly work is a delight on any line-up.

Leroy Brito

A breakout star from Wales, Leroy is a regular on the UK comedy circuit and has had 4 sold out solo shows at the iconic Wales Millennium Centre.  Leroy has previously starred in the BBC One sitcom Tourist Trap, is a regular on BBC Radio Wales and has presented on 6 Nations Sin Bin, Wales Big Kickoff and Wales Live. In demand as a writer, Leroy co-wrote a BBC Radio Wales sitcom, was a writer on Late Night Football Club and has recently written episodes for television and radio on the award winning Cbeebies preschool show JoJo and Gran Gran.

Katie Tracey

Kate has been performing stand up across the UK for over a decade. Her down to earth observations and cheeky humour has made her a favourite with audiences and acts alike. Katie aims to challenge people's perception of middle aged working class women, with her infectious charm and razor sharp wit.

Ashley Gorman

Ashley Gorman is a comedian and writer born and bred in Burnt Oak, North West London. He recently emigrated to Forest Hill in South East London to become a pub landlord. Ashley is an exceptional storyteller who mines his own life for comedy gold. His anecdotes of outlandish misadventures leave audiences in hysterics.

Dani Johns

Born and bred Bristolian Dani Johns is described as a "smart, clever pocket rocket of a comedian" whose "sassy delivery captivates every audience member". With an energetic mix of storytelling and serious over sharing, she's been named as one of the best new comics on the scene and is taking the circuit by storm. 

Lee Hudson

Lee’s brand of personal storytelling and self-deprecation has seen his reputation rise on the UK comedy circuit and beyond, having also performed in the US, Canada and around Europe. He’s opened for Dan Soder and Tom Stade and is part of the Ian Edwards Soccer Comic Rant podcast on Bill Burr’s All Things Comedy network.

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Jen Nolan

Jen Nolan is a working class comedian and won’t let you forget it! Telling (not so tall) tales of life growing up on the breadline, she has been told she is one to watch, even if that was by her Nan with dementia.

Donations to the 2023 campaign can be made here.

Published: 10 Feb 2023