I'd rather be in an audience for improv than stand-up
17/02/2016 … The UK improv scene has been rapidly expanding the last few years.
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.
Wed 17 February 2016
Tue 09 February 2016
Jokes violate norms - that's why they're funny AND offensive
Barry Carter looks at the theories of comedy
09/02/2016 … There are many popular theories of comedy which attempt to explain why we find something funny.
Mon 08 February 2016
Gein's guide to Britain
The sketch group outline their tour plans
08/02/2016 … Gein's Family Giftshop – Kath Hughes, James Meehan, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Edward Easton – anticipate what their forthcoming dates have in store.
Thu 04 February 2016
How to pitch an idea
Comedian and producer Matt Tiller offers some advice
04/02/2016 … I write a blog, Foot in the Door, which is enjoyable for me to write and aims to help people who are trying to get on in the media, whether they want to be writers,…
Mon 01 February 2016
My favourite comedy festival memories
By Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival founder Geoff Rowe
01/02/2016 … We recently published a list of all the comedians who have performed at the Leicester Comedy Festival since we set the thing up in 1994.
Sun 24 January 2016
A record-breaking stitch-up
Comic juggler Mat Ricardo on a disastrous gig on Chinese TV
24/01/2016 … They started it.
Fri 22 January 2016
Hey critics, maybe sometimes satire isn't meant to be taken at face value
Andrew Doyle defends the nuance of Charlie Hebdo
22/01/2016 … I’ve always wanted to write about football.
Mon 04 January 2016
Netflix and thrill
On-demand services are a huge boon to stand-up, says Barry Carter
04/01/2016 … We are in the Golden Age of Television, some of the best TV drama ever made has been in the last five or so years.