The Amsterdam Underground Comedy Collective
The Amsterdam Underground Comedy Collective 1 was founded in 2007 by the well known Dutch comedy collective Comedytrain2. Its aim is to allow Comedytrain members to go international. Comedytrain, founded in 1990 by Raoul Heertje, and its own theatre Toomler was already the home of some of the most famous comedians Holland knows and a place for young comedians to develop. The Amsterdam Underground Comedy Collective is a new initiative of AbOUT ten Dutch comedians who want to try out performing in English. Many of them are already great names in Holland, some have played English comedy clubs regularly, some are touring with their one man shows and some are just looking for adventure. All of them will perform in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival3, summer 2007.
Comedians in the Amsterdam Underground Comedy Collective
Hans Teeuwen
Arguably the most influential comedian Holland has ever seen (see Theo Maassen). Single-handedly changed the whole comedy scene in Holland, destroying the last remaining taboos in the process. Has stopped performing in Dutch after the [...] on his close friend / cineast Theo van Gogh. Has been playing in New York and London a couple of times since. Massive (Dutch) media attention will be drawn to his performances in Edinburgh. Absurdist and very fast, not for the easily offended.
Theo Maassen
Arguably the most influential comedian Holland has ever seen (see Hans Teeuwen). Was recently awarded the Prince Bernhard Culture price of € 50.000 as a recognition for all his talents, and managed to bag every major price this year for his last show Tegen beter weten in (‘Against better judgement’). The jury report stated that Theo Maassen was one of the three most important comedians of the last 100 years. Manages to hit important themes through a bombardment of jokes. Also famous in Holland for his acting, latest movie Zwartboek by Paul Verhoeven. A massive talent that is looking for new challenges: has been playing the Quatsch club in Berlin in German, now planning to conquer Edinburgh.
Raoul Heertje
Godfather of Dutch stand-up comedy, founder of comedians collective Comedytrain. Has toured the USA and England for a while, resulting in performances with Ruby Wax, Clive James and Have I got news for you and a regular spot at the Comedy store. Has been co-hosting the dutch version of Have I Got News For You for the last 10 years. Played the title roll in the Dutch play Lenny Bruce (see Hans Sibbel). Very dark and cynic comic who is perpetually amazed and disgusted with the way the world works.
Eric van Sauers
A very experienced comedian, also producer of the Dutch edition of Have I got News for You. He was the best newcomer in 2005 with his show Eric van Sauers lies. His impressive stage appearance is softened by the disarming honesty with which he regards the world. Amazement and recognition go together beautifully if you hear this comedian speak.
Hans Sibbel
A highly energetic comedian who has had his own new years eve television show for the last 4 years (which is kind of a big deal in Holland). Rough, edgy, energetic, hilarious. Has toured for years with his colleague Dolf Jansen, but now has stolen the heart of every audience with his solo performances, which also appeared on several successful DVD’s and on Dutch television. Played the title roll in the Dutch play Lenny Bruce (see Raoul Heertje).
Marc-Marie Huijbregts
It’s hard to understand how, but Marc Marie Huijbregts has made improvising the main ingredient of his highly successful one-man shows. Huijbregts is so honest and funny on stage that there is no escaping this fast comical mind. Be sure so pay attention because every show is different and there is no telling were Huybrechts will take you next. There is just one guaranty: it's going to be fast and very very funny.
Ronald Goedemondt
One of the rising stars of Comedytrain. He is stand-up comedy. With his second solo show he is conquering the Dutch theatres. Childishly naïve, shockingly honest and most of all hilarious. He made his English spoken debut in the Purple Turtle Pub in London and is ready for more. His impersonations spot on, his English (Scottish, Irish, American etc.) impeccable; Ronald Goedemondt has got what it takes to go international.
Micha Wertheim
Intelligent is what first comes to mind after seeing Micha Wertheim perform. Highly intelligent, humblingly intelligent, maybe even too intelligent, but so funny! From his pedestal of knowledge and IQ he overlooks the world and gives you insights you would never have dreamed to think of yourself. He won the well known Leids Cabaret Festival in 2004 (jury as well as audience award). Cynical, curious, on the edge and, yes, intelligent.
Daniël Arends
One of the most gifted young Dutch comedians of the moment. What you would call: ‘a natural’. Won the prestigious Cameretten Festival in 2006 (audience and jury awards). Scored high notes with the first television airing of a Toomler comedy set ever in Holland and is one of the best MC’s Toomler has ever seen. Young, daring, hilarious; with Daniël it all seems so deceptively simple.
Kees van Amstel
A rock within Comedytrain. Dutch to the core. A real storyteller. Kees (say : Case) takes you along well known roads, and gives them a very unexpected twist. He is a well known writer for television and radio shows and a very active performer in theatres and clubs all over Holland.
Steef Cuijpers
A very likable personality and at times a sharp and cynical look on the world describe this comedian from the south of the Netherlands pretty accurately. His anecdotal jokes are a sure hit and his opinions sometimes painfully recognisable. With his solo show and gigs throughout the country, he is a welcome guest in any theatre.
Henry van Loon
A young and absurdistic comic mind, Henry van Loon has only just found his way to the world of stand-up comedy. He makes up for his lack in experience with a natural stage appearance that just screams talent.