Fringe showcase returns

Best In Class, the scheme that aims to promote working-class comedians, will be returning to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

Organiser Sian Davies is seeking ten comics to take part in the daily showcase at the Laughing Horse’s Counting House venue.

It works on a profit-share, with acts funding their own travel and accommodation but paying no other costs. They share the flyering and the day-to-day running of the show.

Comic Sian Davies started the scheme last year after being told she would have to pay £1,800 to take part in one promoter’s showcase. But was dropped after she set up a crowdfunding page to help with her costs.

Drew Taylor, who took part last year, said: ‘Best in Class taught me so much about what it takes to flyer, gather an audience and perform a show every day with a great group of like-minded comedians who are in the same boat as you.

‘I took part in over 30 comedy shows over 6 days and developed exponentially as a comedian. None of this would have been possible without the support that Best in Class provided.’

Acts taking part must not already be taking part in another show but are encouraged to seek spots on compilation shows during their time at the fringe. Some of the funding is also crowd-sourced.

Apply here, or contribute to the crowdfunding here.

Tomorrow is also the last day for applications to Chortle’s scheme commissioning a reviewer for a working-class or BAME background. More information here.

Published: 7 Mar 2019