Exclusive Chortle screening

Misery Loves Comedy – a new documentary in which 50 comedy legends discuss their motives and inspirations – is being released in selected cinemas next week.

And we are hosting an exclusive preview screening in a private central London location on Wednesday (September 2) to offer the first look at the movie which addresses the question: Do you really have to be miserable to be funny?

In making the film director Kevin Pollak, whose acting credits include The Usual Suspects, interviewed a raft of stars including Tom Hanks, Judd Apatow, Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Coogan, Stephen Merchant and Larry David – asking them all to reveal their earliest comic experiences, most epic fails and best anecdotes.

The result dissects the art of stand-up to explore how a joke can operate as a blunt tool, a social weapon, or even as a personal elixir.

Click here for our interview with Pollack.

Misery Loves Comedy will be released on Friday next week, but we have 12 pairs of tickets to give away to Chortle readers who can answer the following simple question by 11.59pm on Monday August 31 when we will randomly select the winners from all correct answers received. Usual terms and conditions apply

Plus we have more free spaces for professional comics who want to attend. If interested, email steve@chortle.co.uk. The screening will be 6pm for 6.30pm.

The question is: Who first had a hit with Tears Of A Clown?

Published: 26 Aug 2015