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.

"a bizarre treat; ...rubber-faced, filthy-minded infectious madness" Leicester Mercury

“This guy is a radical genius” Time Out


In The Netherlands, Teeuwen won an award in 1991 at the prestigious Dutch cabaret festival Cameretten for his show "Heist", together with Roland Smeenk. In 1992 Hans decided to go solo as a 'cabaretier' (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 pure stand-up comedy).

He has worked on five cabaretier 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 include Poelmo, slaaf van het Zuiden, a series of shorter comedy shows with his friends and colleagues Pieter Bouwman and Gummbah.

Hans also worked with Pieter Bouwman on a radio comedy show that was mainly improvised, called Mannen van de Radio.

In addition to roles with popular Dutch absurdistic comedy group Jiskefet, he has worked on the 1999 film Jezus is een Palestijn (Jesus is a Palestinian).

Together with Theodor Holman, Hans 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). In 2005 he wrote and directed the film Masterclass, hiss directing debut.

In 2006 and 2007 Hans sang 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 Hans was invited by the Soho Theatre to perform a two-week season, 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.

More information can be found on Han's website www.hansteeuwen.com

FROM THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE 2009:

"This year's demonic and destabilising show sends audiences out into the night wrung dry of laughter and looking shell shocked" Guardian *****

"It's brilliantly done…peerless standards of originality …"
Scotsman **** 'Hotshow'

"The absurdist Dutch comedian whose musical tribute to the late Michael Jackson is worth the admission price alone" Sunday Times

"An exercise in shock and awe" Independent ****

Gallery:

Hans Teeuwen