Sian Davies is an artist and activist from Liverpool. She is a prolific, multi-award winning writer, theatre maker and comedian. Sian is working class and queer, she is fiercely proud of belonging to both communities, she thrives when telling authentic intersectional stories on stage. She effortlessly combines razor sharp wit with true life stories to enthral and entertain audiences.
“Lovely word play, hedonistic flashes, and a serious political edge.” The Skinny
Sian is the founder and director of Best in Class, a multi award winning community initiative that champions working class performers. Shaped by her own experience of systemic inequalities within the arts and driven by a desire to see her own life reflected in the media she consumes. Best in Class supports working class performers with training, bursaries and development opportunities as well as providing subsided fringe accommodation and a platform to perform at the worlds biggest arts festival. Sian also runs the cult sell out fringe phenomenon Comedy Queers. Providing a safe space for LGBTQIA+ performers, audiences and allies to enjoy live comedy without wondering if their identity might be the next punchline.
Sian won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best in Class in 2022, the award for Best Debut Show at the Leicester Comedy Festival in 2020, and was runner up in the Funny Women Stage Award in 2019.
In 2025 Sian attended an Introduction To Playwriting course with Helen Jeffery. Following this she began writing a stage play about working class women and mental health. The first 15 minutes of the piece was shown at Sober Scribbles scratch night at Unity Theatre in January 2026, where it was well received. The play covers themes of illegitimacy, grief, forced medical treatment, women’s rights and the life long effects of complex and compounded trauma. The story follows a working class woman in her 40’s who is admitted as inpatient in a mental health facility in 1995. Throughout the play we follow our protagonist through time, reflecting on the decisions made for her that have contributed to her life long struggles with mental health. The scratch performance featured Liverpool actors Josie Harrison, Florence King, Emma Dears and Callum Connor and was directed by Helen Jeffery. Sian hopes to continue developing this play into a full length piece.
Audience Feedback:
“I found the story and its characters vigorous, evocative, emotionally accessible and totally believable.”
“The play’s serious subject was leavened with pace and humour.”
“The depth of the material really gave the actors and director something to grapple with”
“The extracts persuaded me that I would definitely come and see the whole play if I had the chance, I would recommend it to others, and I will follow this writer’s work with interest”
In 2026 Sian is keen to develop her creative skills to encompass a more collaborative and playful practice, grounded in movement. Following a workshop at Union Festival of Community in 2025, Sian has identified collaborative partnerships with another performer, dancer, writer and visual artist that she is eager to work with. Together they are devising a new piece of work “Compost: The Cabaret” which covers themes of life, sex and death told through a queer ecology lens.
Sian’s 2024 show, Band of Gold covered themes of regret and accountability. More specifically- bad tattoos, gay divorce and antihistamines, told against a back drop of Northern Soul. Band of Gold was award nominated and critically acclaimed at the Edinburgh Fringe before embarking on a successful UK tour.
“Davies always finds a funny angle, whatever the subject… top quality gags and winning anecdotes.” **** Beyond The Joke
“Superb comedy timing… refreshing and authentic.” **** One4review
Sian’s 2023 show, This Charming Man was as exploration of gender identity and The Smiths, produced by Impatient, directed by Elf Lyons and supported by Homotopia. This Charming Man skillfully wove elements of drag and theatre with stand up and mixed media clips to tell a story of queer joy and authenticity. The show received multiple 4 star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and was nominated for The Biggest Award in Comedy.
“Fast, exuberant and completely endearing.” **** Wee Review
Sian’s first show, About Time, reflected on her life as a carer for her terminally ill mother and her experiences as a working class person on a gap year. It was developed in partnership with Greater Manchester Fringe in 2019. It won best debut show at Leicester comedy Festival in February 2020, just before covid shut down the industry. Following the pandemic About Time was further developed with the support of Unity Theatre and their Up Next program. The show debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022 before being recorded as a stand up special for Next Up streaming service and shown on ITVX. It is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.
“Compelling and distinctive” The Scotsman
“Excellent story-telling, audience engagement and sense of narrative…delivered with rabble-rousing intensity” One4Review
“A very funny observational stand-up … imagine a queer Peter Kay with more emotional literacy and a quiff like young Morrissey.” The Evening Standard
Sian has appeared on Comedy Central Live, ITVX, Next UP, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 1, and has been a guest on several podcasts including Menkind with Mark Watson and Thats Me on Screen with Evelyn Mok. She has written articles for The Guardian, The Museum of Liverpool and British Comedy Guide. Sian has led writing workshops at Angel Comedy Club and Soho Theatre. In 2024 Sian was selected for the comedy showcase at the Edinburgh TV Festival. Sian is an alumni of The Northern School of Arts and Activism, a board member for the Live Comedy Association and a member of the Equity Hub for Change working class network.