Hans Teeuwen interview

Dutch surrealist comic Hans Teeuwen always leaves an impression. By the time he left the UK in 2010 after a couple of years of gigging, he'd won over British audiences and critics. His absurd, mischievous, devilish shows were memorable in a way that few comics can manage - and the only way to really describe them is that you laugh, but you don't know why. Off the stage, he's made friends and enemies over the years with his staunch defence of freedom of speech (most recently Teeuwen elaborately insulted Turkey's President Erdogan to make his point).

So it's fair to say he's a one-off. And if you've not seen him before, now's your chance to see what all the fuss is about. Teeuwen is finally returning to the UK, with a tour that takes in London, Harrogate, Brighton, Salford, Nottingham, Birmingham, Norwich, Cambridge and London again. British Comedy Guide caught up with Hans for a quick word before he travels to the UK...

Hello Hans. What's on your mind today?

Interrogation techniques used by the secret police in eastern Germany during the cold war.

Since you were last in Britain, most of our pubs have closed down and we decided to leave the EU. Are you sure you want to come back?

A country that has the balls to say fuck you to the EU had my deepest sympathy.

What was your reaction to our Brexit vote?

The fact that the media do not control the mind of the masses anymore, is, I think, good news. Whether or not Brexit was a good idea, time will tell. That there is a lot wrong with the EU we already knew, didn't we?

Does it feel very different coming over this time to do shows, compared to in 2007?

No.

Tell us a bit about 'Real Rancour'. Something. Anything.

It's a very good show, probably a bit more autobiographical than my previous shows. I try to use the word 'skin colour' as often as possible (for sexual reasons).

How long have you been working on it?

Three or four months.

How do you go about writing comedy? Does improvisation play a part?

Yes, I improvise, sometimes under the influence of cannabis, and my girlfriend writes it all down. Then later, when I'm sober, I select the good parts.

Will you even make it over here?! We hear you might be arrested for your comments about President Erdogan...

No, I was never charged with anything.

We don't have any laws in Britain about insulting people in positions of power - would you like to take advantage of this?

Whatever it takes to keep the audience entertained.

It seems you're less political onstage than offstage - why is this? And is this changing?

It was always more funny to go off topic instead of serious statements. The most important thing for a comedian is to be funny. I've seen comedians making serious political statements and it wasn't pretty.

Congratulations on becoming a father - has your daughter shows any signs of being an absurdist comic?

She is too conservative to be a comedian.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Young people should use drugs wisely.

Hans Teeuwen tours the UK until 26 November, for dates and tickets visit hansteeuwen.com