Comedy Techniques, by Brian McKim and Traci Skene
21/09/2011 … Comedy Techniques make the bold promise: ‘From improv to stand-up, and from satire to slapstick, here’s an essential guide to get yourself a cult following…
Latest Books
Reviews of books about comedy, including biographies of comedians old and new, and (occasionally) books by comedians. To have a book considered for review, send a copy to Chortle, 112 Norman Road, London, E11 4RL.
Wed 21 September 2011
Tue 13 September 2011
Comedy Rules, by Jonathan Lynn
13/09/2011 … For a man who was half-responsible for Sir Humphrey Appleby’s elaborately long-winded obfuscations in Yes Minister, Jonathan Lynn’s combination of memoir and…
Wed 31 August 2011
How Not To Write A Sitcom, by Marc Blake
31/08/2011 … The first thing to check with any ‘how to…’ guide is the credentials of its author.
Fri 29 July 2011
Armed And Dangerous by James Brandon
29/07/2011 … This ‘performer’s guide to dealing with hecklers and interruptions’ is hilarious – but for all the wrong reasons.
Tue 26 July 2011
Comedy And Error, by Simon Day
26/07/2011 … Let’s start with my prejudices: I’ve never been a massive fan of Simon Day’s work.
Sat 25 June 2011
Funny People by Roy Smiles
25/06/2011 … In the Happy Families of life, what else could Mr Smiles be, other than a comedy writer? Briefly in a double-act called Smiles and Kemp, Roy has forged a much more…
Wed 15 June 2011
Stand Up And Deliver by Andy Kind
15/06/2011 … There are, undoubtedly books around on the experiences of being a comedian that are more emotive, or more inspirational than Andy Kind’s.
Mon 13 June 2011
Dave Gorman vs The Rest Of The World
13/06/2011 … Dave Gorman’s books follow a fairly well-established pattern now.