The free speech debate isn't just about offence – it's about oppression
Paul Case says comedy can be appalling AND responsible
17/06/2019 … There is a burgeoning, politicised movement for ‘free speech’ in comedy at the moment.
Latest 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.
Mon 17 June 2019
Fri 14 June 2019
What are you wearing?
Alice Fraser on what a comedian's choice of stage clothes says about them
14/06/2019 … If you see a lot of live comedy you’ll know that when you think of a stand-up comedian’s clothes, what comes to mind is a dude wearing, either a T-shirt…
Tue 28 May 2019
Why I pray to Katherine Ryan
Opinion: Jordon Best on the power she draws from other female comedians
28/05/2019 … Before going on stage, I say to myself ‘in the name of the Katherine, the Sara and the Lou Sanders’ and it allows me to channel the feminine energy I…
Fri 24 May 2019
It's not just Jeremy Kyle – I've seen comedy shows stitch up the public too
Nick Booth says the whole industry has a problem
24/05/2019 … Is Jeremy Kyle a one-off? No.
Fri 17 May 2019
Opinion: Should we welcome Louis CK back to the UK?
Comedy fan Andrew Timms weighs up the arguments
17/05/2019 … Well, that escalated quickly.
Tue 16 April 2019
Opinion: Is comedy the most powerful artform of them all?
As a new exhibition opens, the V&A's Simon Sladen thinks it might be
16/04/2019 … This year marks the 50th anniversary of both Carry On Camping and another, very different, British cultural icon: Monty Python.
Fri 08 February 2019
© Matthew Hall How do you write a comedy show in the midst of a tragedy?
Garrett Millerick reflects on how he managed it
08/02/2019 … I was asked in July of last year to write an article for Chortle about my upcoming Edinburgh Fringe show Sunflower.
Thu 07 February 2019
Stand up and be characterised
Dave Cohen's guide to the genres of comedian
07/02/2019 … We all know the difference between stand-up and acting, don’t we? The stand-up engages with the room, so we feel like we’re seeing the real person on…