Does comedy really need a union?
09/09/2015 … I'm not a fan of guilds or unions.
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.
Wed 09 September 2015
Fri 04 September 2015
Don't worry, be happier
Dave Twentyman on anxiety in stand-up
04/09/2015 … I've always been fascinated with the opinion expressed by many fellow comedians that fear and the resulting nerves are positive for performers.
Wed 02 September 2015
Can Corbyn make Britain love satire again?
Ben Morgan hopes for a revival of political comedy
02/09/2015 … He came out of nowhere, just scraping enough nominations to become a Labour leader candidate, and he now leads a competition that the public wouldn't normally pay…
Fri 28 August 2015
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.
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…