Why should comics pay to play Edinburgh?
Bob Slayer launches his alternative
25/05/2012 … This week, we launched the Alternative Fringe manifesto, taking a stand against the 'pay-to-play' that is rife at the festival.
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.
Fri 25 May 2012
Thu 24 May 2012
Must try harder
Paul Read delivers a damning verdict on the state of stand-up
24/05/2012 … Over the past year I have travelled far and wide to a variety of venues to watch stand-up comedy.
Wed 23 May 2012
My gaff, my rules
Comedy Cafe owner Noel Faulkner on the punters – and comedians – he has to tolerate
23/05/2012 … All’s changed at the Comedy Café.
Tue 22 May 2012
You're no one if you're not on TV
John Fleming on success vs originality
22/05/2012 … Appear on TV or fail as a comedianThat is not quite the situation, but it is, alas, very close to it.
Wed 16 May 2012
Who's the real prick?
Gareth Morinan has (possibly) the last word on Fringe censorship
16/05/2012 … While reading all the palaver about Stuart Goldsmith’s calling himself a prick in the Edinburgh Fringe programme, I thought ‘an official person from the Fringe…
Tue 15 May 2012
Broken Brighton
Chortle editor Steve Bennett asks if England's biggest Fringe festival is a wash-out
15/05/2012 … I should be happy.
Mon 14 May 2012
It's about quality, not class
Chris Hallam on the axing of My Family
14/05/2012 … Zoe Wanamaker complains that the My Family was axed last year because, she was told, ‘the BBC didn't want to have any more middle-class sitcoms’.
Sun 13 May 2012
Fallen idol
Laurence Clark is disappointed with Ben Elton's attitude to the disabled
13/05/2012 … The whole nation took a sharp intake of breath at two words uttered by Ben Elton on BBC Breakfast.