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.
John Fleming offers some forestry management advice...
13/07/2011 … Around now – just three weeks before the Edinburgh Fringe starts – there is a glut of desperate stand-up comics performing Fringe preview shows in London.
Paul Ricketts has a Fringe dilemma
12/07/2011 … When I started doing stand-up I asked some well- known black comics why they didn’t take a show to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Geraint Dafydd Evans gives an insider’s view of comedy contests
11/07/2011 … On Sunday, I was 25, and I’m delighted that I started as a comedian before reaching the quarter of a century.
Ashley Frieze warns new comedians to be wary of the rip-offs
08/07/2011 … It seems like comedy has a ‘pay-to-play’ controversy every few months.
Sean Mason despairs of the way improv is treated on TV
07/07/2011 … Improvisation on TV doesn’t need gimmicks, it needs trust.
John Fleming has some illuminating advice for new comedians
06/07/2011 … The stage.
Theo Weedon bemoans bland formats – and bland comedians
06/07/2011 … Comedy in the UK has become a monster.
Joe Daniels considers a stand-up hero
05/07/2011 … Stewart Lee is widely considered the best comedian working today, and while this claim is swiftly dispatched by his detractors, it is precisely this divisiveness…
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