Comedy review: Amsterdam Underground Comedy Presents... Hans Teeuwen | Micha Wertheim

Published on Thursday 21 August 2008 09:08

AMSTERDAM UNDERGROUND COMEDY COLLECTIVE PRESENTS... HANS TEEUWEN **** MICHA WERTHEIM **** PLEASANCE DOME (VENUE 23)

THE influx of Dutch comedians is perhaps the most exciting trend in UK stand-up over the last two years. To see Hans Teeuwen is to feel yourself in the presence of a master, with the attendant pitfall that he won't compromise his art, even when it meets with long periods of audience bewilderment. He's never less than captivating, whether craving affection from a rapist sock, spinning a story about a disabled fireman that is a gem of manipulative oratory, or simply persuading the audience to repeat his name to a variety of pop songs. His Dr Hemmington number is a little too close to his signature Nostradamus tune, also performed here, but Teeuwen succeeds in "making the English language my bitch" and convincing you of Donald Duck's Nazi shame.

Micha Wertheim is every bit as perversely committed, opening light with a Google-translated introduction from Dutch. Like Teeuwen, he won't sacrifice his show's integrity for easy laughs and pretty soon works his way into darker territory, establishing his less than charitable charity and his status as an abortion survivor, before explaining why he and his girlfriend want "mongoloid offspring". He has a skill for picking at the contradictions that bind society together, and if he can't quite convince of disabled people's racism, he is on surer ground with the democracy of gang rape.

With his amiable manner becoming increasingly fervent, he finishes with a parable of his Melvinist beliefs that go some way to explaining his prejudice. The pair perform alternate three and four night runs.

• Until 24 August. Today 8:30pm