Session covers outrage in comedy

Konstantin Kisin – the comedian who caused such a stir by refusing to sign a ‘safe space’ agreement to perform at a London college – has been added to the Chortle Comedy Book Festival.

The Russian-born stand-up will be appearing on a panel about the limit of offence in stand-up, especially in a world of social media outrage.

Also on the line-up are Ayesha Hazarika, the comedian and commentator who was formerly advisor to, Labour politicians including including Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband, and Jay Islaam, who previously hit the headlines over an Edinburgh Fringe offering provocatively titled Racist Joke Show.

The session – entitled Sacred Cows? Comedy, Offence and the Outrage Machine – will be hosted by comedy writer James Cary, whose credits range from Miranda to Bluestone 42.

He outlined the discussion as follows: ‘We live in a time when a joke can go round the world in a split second, getting you death threats in a dozen different countries and a hefty fine and a criminal record in this one. Why even bother with jokes in this brave new world of 24 hr news, snowflakes and Twitchfork mobs?’

Cary has a book out in the new year entitled The Sacred Art Of Joking, which covers the same topic.

It is one of two sessions he will be involved with at the festival. He is also recording an edition of his Sitcom Geeks podcast with fellow writer Dave Cohen and special guest Jonathan Coe, writer of The Rotters' Club and the new book Middle England.

The Chortle Comedy Book Festival takes place in the British Library in London from 1.30pm to 8.30pm on Sunday January 13.

Others taking part include Adam Kay, Alex Horne, Elis James and John Robins, Deborah Frances-White, Sofie Hagen, Jessie Cave and Rotters’ Club author Jonathan Coe.

Cut-price early bird tickets for the full day are available until the end of the year. Click here for more details or to buy tickets, either for the full day or individual sessions.

Published: 24 Dec 2018