Hans Eduard Marie Teeuwen (born March 3, 1967 in Budel, The Netherlands) is a Dutch comedian, actor and a singer and director. His work can be described as absurdist, apolitical and confrontational.
In The Netherlands, Teeuwen became famous in 1991 when he won an award at the prestigious Dutch cabaret festival Cameretten for his show "Heist", together with Roland Smeenk. Teeuwen decided to go solo as a 'cabaretier'. (Dutch cabaret is a sort of stand-up comedy often lasting for an hour or two, which has a storyline or theme, and can include songs, music and poetry as opposed to purely stand-up comedy). He did five shows, Hard en Zielig (1994-1995), Met een Breierdeck (1995-1997), Trui (1999-2000), Dat dan weer wel (2001) and finally Industry of Love (2003-2004). Other comedy projects he has worked on are Poelmo, slaaf van het Zuiden, a series of shorter comedy shows with his friends and colleagues Pieter Bouwman and Gummbah. Pieter Bouwman and Hans Teeuwen also worked together on a radio comedy show that was mainly improvised, called Mannen van de Radio.
Apart from a few comic parts with popular Dutch absurdistic comedy group Jiskefet, he acted in the 1999 film Jezus is een Palestijn (Jesus is a Palestinian). Together with Theodor Holman he co-created the idea for the film Interview, directed by Theo van Gogh in 2003 (and remade in 2007 in the USA by Steve Buscemi). He wrote and directed the film Masterclass in 2005, Teeuwen's directing debut. All of his stand-up shows have been filmed and broadcast on Dutch TV and gardened significant DVD sales.
In 2006 and 2007 Teeuwen performed as a crooner in an Amsterdam nightclub, ultimately resulting in a DVD titled "Hans Teeuwen Zingt" (Literal English: "Hans Teeuwen Sings"), on which he sings songs by artists such as Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra, together with Teeuwen's band. In 2008, Teeuwen performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival and has toured the show to theatres throughout the Netherlands and Belguim. He is currently working on a new album of original songs.
In 2004 Teeuwen announced he would no longer perform, which (incidentally) coincided with the death of director and close friend Theo van Gogh in 2004. In 2007 he decided to try a new challenge: performing in English. Teeuwen, first came to British attention headlining the AMSTERDAM COMEDY COLLECTIVE at the Edinburgh Comedy Rooms in August 2007 when he was described as ‘the find of this year’s festival” by the Guardian. Invited by Soho Theatre to perform a two-week season last January, Teeuwen sold the venue out before he opened. Hans then won a 2008 Chortle Award. He played six nights at the Arts Theatre in April 08, he sold-out his first solo gigs at the at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008 and appeared on the bill of Amnesty International’s Stand-up for Freedom gig. He appeared at BAC and Leicester Square Theatre in October 2008. And performed a further sell out week at Leicester Square Theatre in March 2009 and then sold out the Udderbelly at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe during August 2009. He has also performed at numerous UK and Irish festivals including Latitude, Leicester Comedy Festival, Glasgow Comedy Festival, Cat Laughs Comedy Festival in Kilkenny and Manchester Comedy Festival.
Although his work is typically devoid of politics, in real life Teeuwen has repeatedly and openly acted as a fervent supporter of free speech, especially after the murder of his friend Theo van Gogh. His eulogy for Theo van Gogh and his speech at the revealing of the statue for Theo were shining (and cynical) example of his views. A video clip of Teeuwen eloquently advocating freedom of speech while being interviewed by three female Muslim TV presenters has been chosen as 'Dutch TV moment of 2007.
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Website www.hansteeuwen.com