Revealed: Line-up of experts at Chortle's event for comics

The full timetable has now been announced for Chortle's Comedy Conference.

Aimed at new and aspiring comedians, or those with a couple of years' experience under their belt, the event will feature an esteemed line-up of live bookers and promoters, agents, TV and radio producers and commissioners, and experts on tax and law – all offering invaluable advice and contacts to help progress through the comedy industry.

Comedian Richard Herring will share his experience of more than 20 years in the industry, while Friday Night Dinner writer Robert Popper – who has a varied and impressive CV in comedy – will reveal his tips on the creative process.

There will be the chance to ask questions of all the panelists, and mingle with some of them over coffee and lunch, as well as getting the inside track on how the comedy world works and vital career pointers.

Tomorrow is the early-bird deadline for discounted tickets to the day-long event at London's Soho Theatre on June 13. Admission includes refreshments and a buffet lunch.

Additionally, Chortle will subsidise at least five bursary places for those out of work or on low incomes (although not students in full-time education unless there are exceptional circumstances) at just £15 each. To apply for one of these places, email steve@chortle.co.uk with a brief description of your circumstances and what steps you have already taken to get into comedy.

There are a few sessions still to be finalised, but the timetable is below:

Get your ticket

Full price £95.00 GBP Chortle Student performer £70.00 GBP

9.00 COFFEE AND REGISTRATION

9.30 Getting Started (1hr)

Hosted by comedian Stuart Goldsmith

Pete Graham, Promoter of Downstairs At The Kings Head

Hils Jago of Amused Moose Comedy, which runs clubs, courses and competitions

Julia Chamberlain: Producer of So You Think You’re Funny? and booker for Highlight venues

Jill Edwards, who runs comedy workshops in Brighton

10.30 An alternative view (30mins)

With Noel Faulkner, Owner of the Comedy Cafe

11.00 COFFEE BREAK

11.20 Edinburgh (45mins)

Ryan Taylor: Head of Comedy at the Pleasance

Barry Church-Woods: Venues & Companies Manager, Edinburgh Fringe

Peter Buckley Hill, founder of the Free Fringe and long-time festival performer

Nigel Klafeld, managing director, Bound & Gagged, one of the biggest independent promoters on the Fringe

Julian Hall, comedy reviewer with The Independent and other publications, and author of The Rough Guide to British Cult Comedy.

12.05 The agents panel (45mins)

Brett Vincent: Get Comedy

Alice Russell: Avalon

Chris Lander: Phil McIntyre Entertainments

TBC

12.50 LUNCH

1.45 ROBERT POPPER (40 mins)

Robert Popper, creator of Friday Night Dinner, co-creator of Look Around You, script editor on The Inbetweeners. Producer of Peep Show He also worked on the 14th series of South Park. Hosted by: Steve Bennett, Editor of Chortle.

2.25 The business side, in conjunction with Equity (40 mins)

Hosted by comedian Stuart Goldsmith

Michael Day, on legal issues

Louise Grainger to cover general Equity matters

Alan Lean on tax, National Insurance and benefit questions

3.05 COFFEE BREAK

3.25 TV and radio panel (45 mins)

Nerys Evans, Channel 4 comedy commissioning editor

Chris Sussman, BBC executive editor for comedy

Julia McKenzie, Producer, BBC Radio Comedy

Gary Reich, managing director, Brown Eyed Boy, whose credits include How Not To Live Your Life, Little Miss Jocelyn and shows with Imran Yusuf, Kim Noble, Doc Brown and and Rich Fulcher

Richard Allen-Turner, joint managing director of the Avalon Group and executive producer for Avalon Television the independent production company behind shows including: Harry Hill's TV Burp; Not Going Out; BBC Three’s new comedy talent showcase Live At The Electric; Lee Nelson's Well Good Show; and You Cannot Be Serious, a new peak-time show hosted by Alistair McGowan. 

4.10 The internet (35 mins)

Hosted by Julian Hall

Myles Dyer, marketing expert from ChannelFlip.com

Other panelists TBC

4.45 Richard Herring (45 mins)

Richard Herring started his comedy career in the late 80s with Stewart Lee while at Oxford University. He has subsequently performed a series of acclaimed solo shows at Edinburgh and on tour. He builds his live audience through a daily blog and regular podcasts rather than from mainstream TV exposure – although he has made a number of appearances on the small screen, as well as writing shows such as the comedy-drama You Can Choose Your Friends and 37 episodes of Time Gentlemen Please, with Al Murray. He also has his own Radio 4 series Richard Herring's Objective, which discusses contentious items. Hosted by: Steve Bennett, Editor of Chortle.

5.30 END

Published: 30 May 2012