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…
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.
Thu 07 February 2019
Fri 25 January 2019
Absurdity is the only sane reaction to the madness of reality
Nick Revell on his new approach to satire
25/01/2019 … I’ve radically changed my approach to topical and satirical material in the last three or four years.
Thu 27 December 2018
How I'll be celebrating 30 years of A Bit Of Fry And Laurie
By the duo's biographer, Jem Roberts
27/12/2018 … Sunday January 13, at 9pm, marks the 30th anniversary to the minute of the very first broadcast of series one, episode one of A Bit of Fry & Laurie To…
Sat 22 December 2018
© Alina Kisina I’ve changed my mind about free speech
An apology from Konstantin Kisin
22/12/2018 … It’s been a sobering week.
Wed 19 December 2018
Why we need ‘unsafe comedy’
Andy Shaw sticks up for the stand-ups who refuse to play by the rules
19/12/2018 … Why would a comic refuse to sign an agreement not to make racist, homophobic and sexist jokes? Surely, it can only be because they want licence to punch down…
Fri 14 December 2018
A 'safe space' contract for comedians is a bit silly... but the backlash is just as ludicrous
Steve Bennett on the Konstantin Kisin case
14/12/2018 … The ‘safe space’ conditions that comedian Konstantin Kisin was asked to sign before doing a university gig this week was a little bit silly: certainly…
Tue 27 November 2018
Why 'self-publishing' is no longer a dirty word
Comedy writer Dave Cohen on his new 'how to' book
27/11/2018 … I’ve got a book coming out tomorrow.
Mon 19 November 2018
What promoters want...
Richard Jay has some tips for comedians
19/11/2018 … I gig a bit and I always try to be ‘professional; as well as funny – I research where I’m going, when I’m meant to be there, how…