Britain's first course in comedy criticism

Stand-up courses purporting to help make aspiring comedians into stars might often attract derision – and now comes the first course for would-be comedy critics.

The project, which will take place in Edinburgh this summer, promises an ‘alternative, fast-track course for aspiring arts journalists’.

But they will have to have deep pockets – as the ten-week course, taking in the Fringe, costs £2,495, without accommodation.

The course, called Curio Festival, is being led by web editor Mark Johnstone, who worked on the Daily Telegraph website, and theatre director EJ Trivett, who has previously been in charge of the YMCA touring theatre group. 

After five weeks of classroom studies, students will be unleashed into the Edinburgh Festivals, with Fringe press accreditation promised as part of the package – subject to approval.

The full-time course, which has 30 places, offers sessions on writing reviews, critical thinking, background research and interview techniques – as well as teaching journalists how to ‘build their brand’.

Trivett said the course would give graduates ‘the experience and the edge to land top media jobs’, adding: ‘If you want to break this industry and have a career in it, you have to be a characterful journalist.’

But Chortle editor Steve Bennett was sceptical about the benefits of the course.

He said: ‘The standard of a lot of the reviews at the Fringe is often woeful, and anything that addresses that has to be a good idea.

‘But what makes a good reviewer isn’t just writing well, it’s knowing the subject inside-out – and you can’t teach that in ten weeks.

‘Everyone can publish an opinion on their blog, but there’s no shortcut to a lasting career, and that’s as true for reviewers as it is for comics doing courses or singers going on the X Factor. You need experience. It shouldn’t be important how “characterful” a journalist is – but how much they know their subject.’

Johnstone acknowledged that his course couldn’t provide that depth of experience, but said it would prove much more valuable for aspiring comedy critics than a traditional journalism course.

He said: ‘Go check out any university or college course on journalism. Their dull, limp, simulated experience. How do any of them teach knowing the art inside-out? They don't. We at Curio Festival will make it our business to gave this our best shot.

‘I'd have loved such a course like Curio Festival early in my career. Sadly it didn't exist.’

For more details of the course, which starts on June 28, visit Curiofestival.com.

Published: 25 Mar 2010