Me versus the gong
Ellyn Daniels on the brutality of the new act challenge
14/08/2017 … A talent manager once asked me how stand-up was going and I told him that stand-up was very much like an abusive boyfriend: it beats me down until I threaten to…
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.
Mon 14 August 2017
Sun 13 August 2017
Fringe Clinic #4: Exercise
Comic and medic Ed Patrick shares tips to keep you Fringe fit
13/08/2017 … In the final instalment of our guide to surviving the Edinburgh Fringe, comedian and doctor Ed Patrick offers tips on getting some physical exercise.
Sat 12 August 2017
© Huw jennings Fringe Clinic #3: Sleep
Kwame Asante on getting some shut-eye
12/08/2017 … In the third of our series on surviving the Edinburgh Fringe, doctor and comedian Kwame Asante offers his tongue-in-cheek six-point guide to sleep at the festival:1.
Fri 11 August 2017
Fringe Clinic #2: Sex
Comedian and doctor Matt Hutchinson puts a dampener on the fun
11/08/2017 … In our continuing series of how to survive the Fringe, medic and comedian Matt Hutchinson tackles the burning issues in festival romance… If you…
Thu 10 August 2017
Fringe Clinic #1: Drugs
Comic and doctor Benji Waterstones shares some advice
10/08/2017 … Research suggests comedians are statistically more likely to kick the can earlier than average.
Wed 09 August 2017
How being a professional poker player prepared me for stand-up comedy
09/08/2017 … I'm doing my first hour at the Fringe this year, but I've also been a professional poker player for the last nine.
Tue 08 August 2017
Comedy makes us suffer better
Amanda Miller on the power of her artform
08/08/2017 … Finding what’s funny about painful experiences is what helps me get through life.
Mon 07 August 2017
When comedy is not just comedy
...and does that add or subtract from the humour, asks Alice Fraser
07/08/2017 … Aren't you just meant to be funny? As a comedian, isn't that the whole point of it? There’s a strange parallel snobbery in comedy - where the ‘just…