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.
It's enough to make Nick Pupo want to become a forest hermit
14/08/2023 … How social media in comedy makes me want to become a forest hermit Social media has done wonders for stand-up comedy.
Claire Woolner has the definitive answer
09/08/2023 … What is comedy? Wow, what a question.
I want him to be proud, says Nalini Sharma, I just don't want him to see my boobs
07/08/2023 … If there is one piece of unsolicited advice I can offer the comedy community is this: try not to post invites to your show publicly where your father will find them.
American comic Isabel Klein gets an introduction to the British comedy great
06/08/2023 … As a comic, I’m no stranger to feeling foolish.
Richard Stott regrets not learning the craft - and finding his voice - the hard way
04/08/2023 … I started comedy six years ago when I was 29, a lot later than most of the comedians I find myself on bills with.
One expert explains the benefits of laughter
03/08/2023 … As the Edinburgh Fringe gets under way, Naomi Humber, head of mental wellbeing at Bupa UK explains the health benefits of laughing… Laughter is something…
Ask me in September, says Adam Riches
03/08/2023 … Adam Riches first came to the Edinburgh Fringe with a two-man show called Plat Du Nuit: Comeback Special.
Free Festival veteran Ollie Horn tells fellow comics how to ask Fringe audiences for money
02/08/2023 … Despite what you may hear, there are lots of stand-ups who don’t lose money when they go to the Fringe, and I’m one of them.
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