Chortle's Opinions section is an arena for fans to share their views on any aspect of comedy.
We invite general comment pieces about particular aspects of the comedy scene (although reviews of individual shows or performers tend not to be suited to this section except in very rare circumstances). Contributions should be at least 500 words in length, in a similar tone to something you might read in a broadsheet newspaper, and emailed to steve@chortle.co.uk
We reserve the right to edit pieces – although we will be careful not to change the meaning of anything – or not to use them at all. By submitting an article you grant Chortle indefinite licence to use it freely; though you retain the copyright on it to use it elsewhere.
Steve Bugeja on revisiting childhood memories for his new Edinburgh show
27/07/2019 … Last year for Christmas, I gave my mum the news that my new Edinburgh show was going to be all about her dating when I was growing up.
Caitlin Cook on how stand-up helped her cope
26/07/2019 … Your parent’s messy divorce when you were a teenager.
© Steve Ullathorne A new copyright law has yet to be tested, writes Lewis Dunn
24/07/2019 … If you love something, truly and completely, you will make fun of it.
Alice Fraser has some thoughts...
19/07/2019 … I have a theory.
So says Loyiso Gola (who just happens to be from there)
15/07/2019 … South Africa is where the best comedy will come from in the next ten years.
© Cat Thomson Photography ...and why it could seriously damage the festival
11/07/2019 … Many of those performing and working at the Edinburgh Fringe this year have been astonished at how much more expensive the already pricey rents have become for accommodation.
James Harris says the circuit has a blind spot when it comes to antisemitism
10/07/2019 … As the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, I’ve been thinking about antisemitism – racism against Jews – my whole life.
The Mash Report's Steve N Allen on making jokes from the news
05/07/2019 … Denis Norden, the comedy writer who gave us some classic gags in the 1950s, said that being funny is harder in the modern world because humour is so ubiquitous.
We see you are using AdBlocker software. Chortle relies on advertisers to fund this website so it’s free for you, so we would ask that you disable it for this site. Our ads are non-intrusive and relevant. Help keep Chortle viable.