The General Secretary of British comedy
Alan Varley salutes his comedian of 2013, Mark Steel
13/01/2014 … Another year in comedy over and a new one just begun.
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 13 January 2014
Thu 09 January 2014
But what kind of comedy is it?
Sean Morley wants more labels to guide audiences
09/01/2014 … Like many, I am quick to analogise comedy to music.
Tue 07 January 2014
The gong's not wrong
Jay Islaam defends the gladiatorial new act nights
07/01/2014 … My first gig of 2014 was also my first performance at Manchester’s Comedy Store – throwing myself on the mercy of the audience in the infamous King Gong night.
Thu 19 December 2013
Failures make the successes more beautiful...
Sheraz Yousaf reflects on 300 stand-up gigs
19/12/2013 … I have reached a stand-up milestone: 300 gigs in the 18 months since I started performing comedy.
Tue 17 December 2013
What's the Freestival all about?
The founders of the breakaway Fringe movement set out their stall
17/12/2013 … The Freestival.
Fri 13 December 2013
Banning 'retarded' is retarded itself
We need pejorative words, says Anthony Miller
13/12/2013 … Recently at least two people have told me that I can no longer use the word ‘retarded’.
Mon 09 December 2013
And now for something completely similar....
Tom Crawshaw on the Python reunion
09/12/2013 … I’ve spent my life watching the Pythons, writing about the Pythons and (both deliberately and, all too often accidentally) writing like the Pythons.
Sat 07 December 2013
Why more could mean less for free Edinburgh shows
07/12/2013 … I have a vague memory, when I was very young, of my parents having a big argument.