The night a stand-up saved my life
A potent testament to the power of comedy
23/12/2021 … Three years ago, NHS nursing assistant Sarah Hughes, below, reluctantly went to a comedy gig, despite suffering severe depression.
2021 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.
Thu 23 December 2021
Tue 23 November 2021
The Vapourised variety star
Comedy historian Alan Stafford on the tragic decline and miraculous recovery of Carr Lynn
23/11/2021 … In November 1934, several newspapers carried an advert for Vick Vapour-Rub, endorsed by ‘BBC star’ Mr Carr Lynn, right.
Mon 22 November 2021
How I try to combat writer's block
Comedian Luke McGibbon shares his tips on getting around creative stagnation
22/11/2021 … New comedians often ask promoters and others: ‘How do we get better? How do we get bigger gigs’ And the answer they usually get is: ‘Keep gigging.
Wed 27 October 2021
© Taylor Herring/CC BY-SA 2.0 Private Eye's 60 years of Prime Ministerial parodies
Spoofs tell a history of modern Britain, says Martin Farr
27/10/2021 … The fortnightly magazine Private Eye turns 60 this year.
Thu 30 September 2021
Why British satire is terrible
James Harris says you can't speak truth to power and expect to earn a living
30/09/2021 … In the opening scene of Andrei Tarkovsky’s Andrei Rublev (1966), a skomorokh or medieval Slavic harlequin, entertains a crowd of villagers sheltering…
Thu 23 September 2021
Is satirising the Royal Family under threat?
23/09/2021 … The US adult animated satire, The Prince, has sparked outrage for its portrayal of the British royal family as a mob of hyper-privileged halfwits, hopelessly out…
Sun 19 September 2021
The Norm Macdonald I remember...
19/09/2021 … He had the most beautiful eyes.
Mon 06 September 2021
Whose job is it to deal with aggressive comedy punters?
Benamin Bello, aka President Obonjo, has a close shave on stage
06/09/2021 … It would never have happened to a real dictator… At my gig on Friday, a member of the audience came on stage to attack me while in character as President…