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British Versus Dutch Standup Comedians
A brief comparison in broad brushstrokes
Some time ago we went to see Glenn Moore at Toomler, a comedy club in Amsterdam. The Dutch compère, Stefan Pop, who easily looks twenty years younger than he apparently is, did his best to warm up the crowd in English.
Dutch, ‘big’ city arrogance
Of all the countries in the world, the Dutch are best at speaking English as a second language. Comedy, however, reliant as it is on the double, triple and above all cultural meaning of language, is not an ideal context to ‘’have a go’’ at a set in a different language than your own.
Before the two English-speaking comedians on the bill, one of the resident Dutch comedians (who shall remain nameless) had a go. The result was embarrassing, although the audience (mostly ex-pats) was exceptionally kind and forgiving (beer helps). The comedian in question probably still thinks he did reasonably well.
Stefan Pop does not speak English very well but he is largely able to convey his meaning. His friendly, disarming smile lends him some charisma, like your funny cousin who’s had one too many. Also, a compère does not have to have a sustained coherent act. The Dutch comedian he served up was not so lucky.
