Why Italian comedy has dumbed down
Francesco de Carlo explains the lack of alternative comedy, satire or surrealism
15/08/2014 … In Italy, television plays a pivotal role in comedy.
2014 Opinions
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.
Fri 15 August 2014
Thu 14 August 2014
Surprise! A critic's in...
Gareth Morinan wants free Fringe shows to be treated like any other
14/08/2014 … I think we can all agree that in the past year or two there’s been a sea change in how performers look at the Free Fringe.
Bob Slayer: Why I might work at the Pleasance next year
14/08/2014 … It's really hard work being a maverick at the Fringe.
Mon 11 August 2014
Comics must stop bullying transsexual people
Ben Alborough is angered by a Fringe comedian
11/08/2014 … Out of ironic curiosity, a couple of friends and I went to a free low-brow late-night stand-up show at the Edinburgh Fringe the other night, in which the MC followed…
Thu 07 August 2014
© Mindy Tucker 'British audiences value comedy more than Americans'
Abigoliah Schamaun on why she left New York for London
07/08/2014 … Comics from all over the world dream of moving to New York City.
Wed 06 August 2014
Why I'm a convert to free Fringe shows
Luke Toulson on the positives of going gratis
06/08/2014 … At the start of the Edinburgh festival last year I wrote a Chortle Correspondents piece explaining why, after seven years performing at 'big four' venues I had…
Mon 04 August 2014
Time to laugh at the bloke in the wheelchair
04/08/2014 … Traditionally we disabled comedians have, quite rightly, tended to focus on the various bizarre and sometimes discriminatory ways in which people react to us.
Fri 01 August 2014
My pick of the Fringe...
Tony Kinsella sums up Edinburgh
01/08/2014 … The Russell Pannell Show, Punctured Balloon, 8pm Semi-regular telly favourite sellotapes a radio mic to the side of his face and performs an energetic sub-McIntyre…