I don't like comedy, but I do love it
Liam J Stratton on what drives him to keep performing
28/08/2015 … With the Edinburgh Fringe coming to a close after another record year live comedy could yet survive crumbling economies and global terrorism.
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.
Fri 28 August 2015
Fri 21 August 2015
The burden of sexiness and how to deal with it
21/08/2015 … It’s a blessing and a curse for many comedians.
Wed 19 August 2015
The Edinburgh Fringe experience
19/08/2015 … You've packed three pairs of pants, seven socks, one pair of scruffy jeans, a few whacky tees, your desktop computer, a year's supply of Nutri-Grains and 5,000 flyers…
Mon 17 August 2015
The freedom to offend – and to be offended
Donnchadh O Conaill joins the debate
17/08/2015 … Tom Slater's broadside against 'the PC war on comedy' contained some valid points, mixed with a certain amount of hyperbole (see the reference to 'the PC war on…
Sun 16 August 2015
The honest truth about dishonest practices
Colin Cloud gives the lowdown on fellow magicians
16/08/2015 … Ladies and gentlemen, roll up, see animals vanish before your very eyes, signed cards being found in impossible locations and secret thoughts being plucked from…
Fri 14 August 2015
Fear is comedy's greatest motor
If you're not afraid, you're not taking risks, says Lucie Pohl
14/08/2015 … After shows people always ask me: ‘Oh my god! How do you do it? I.
Thu 13 August 2015
Funding the funny...
Mr Drayton says it's not the Arts Council we should be lobbying
13/08/2015 … There's money in them thar comedy hills.
Wed 12 August 2015
Comedy should be a regulation-free zone
Liam Lonergan contributes to the censorship debate
12/08/2015 … Rene Girard, in his study of scapegoats, wrote that 'persecutions […] generally take place in a time of crisis, which weaken normal institutions and favour mob…