Theo Maassen
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Theo Maassen (born 8 December 1966 in Oegstgeest, Zuid-Holland) is a Dutch comedian and actor who grew up in Zijtaart in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant. In addition to his shows, he has also made a number of appearances in films.
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[edit] Themes
Maassen won two of the biggest comedy contests in the Netherlands in 1990, the Groninger Studenten Cabaret Festival(GSCF), and Cameretten. The GSCF jury was not pleased with the quality of the contestants that year, and gave Maassen the first prize, remarking he was the best of the year, but still not very good.
In the following years, however, Maassen fame grew steadily, especially amongst students. Maassens style was based on stand-up comedy: Alone on stage, telling jokes and stories to amuse the public, without any musical support (a thing common for most Dutch comedians up to that point).
Unlike contemporary comedians, however, Maassens topics were about issues concerning the world, politics, religion, and self-doubt. Often heavy topics, but Maassen was always able to squeeze out a laugh when least expected. This distinguished him from most other comedians around: He was actually trying to say something, and not merely trying to make people laugh.
"Imagine that what you think is not true", he starts his 4th show. "Imagine you're wrong. It's possible."
Since 2000, Maassens shows are shown more and more on Dutch national television, making him more and more a household name. He is considered (together with Hans Teeuwen) the only true heir to the older Dutch comedy generation (Youp van 't Hek, Freek de Jonge to name but two).
In 2006, Maassen received the 'Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Theater Prijs 2006' (Prince Bernhard Culture Fund Theatre Prize 2006) for his 'daring combination of theatre and comedy'. The same year he also received the Prijs van de Kritiek (Prize of the critics), a yearly prize by Dutch theatre critics.
Theo Maassen is a self proclaimed fan of Bill Hicks.
[edit] Shows
- 2006: Tegen Beter Weten In ("Against Better Judgment")
- 2002: Functioneel naakt ("Functional Nudity")
- 1998: Ruwe pit ("Rough Diamond")
- 1996: Neuk het systeem ("Screw the System")
- 1994: Bepaalde dingen ("Certain Elements")
[edit] Films
Maassen played (small) roles in a number of Dutch movies:
- 2006: Black Book (directed by Paul Verhoeven)
- 2004: Amazones as Achilles
- 2003: De onterechte kampioen as himself (he also directed and produced this movie)
- 2003: Kees de jongen as Vader Bakels
- 2003: Interview as Theo
- 2003: www.eenzaam.nl as Marcel
- 2001: Minoes as Tibbe
- 2001: Adriaans plaag (short film) as trader Benedikt
- 2001: AmnesiA as Wouter
[edit] Television
Maassen plays the role of 'Roel' in the television series 'Mevrouw de minister'. He also made a guest appearance in an episode of 'Dunya en Desie'.
[edit] Trivia
Maassen once stole the UEFA-cup from the stadium of soccer team PSV Eindhoven. For several years it was unknown who had been responsible for the disappearance of the trophy. The true story was confessed by Maassen himself, live on a talkshow focussed on football. That night the show had several guests that were in the possession of rare soccer artifacts. When the host asked Maassen about his artifact, he took the UEFA-cup out of his bag and put it on the table, in front of the baffled host and guests.
He also has released a song titled: "Lauwe Pis" which peaked at #1 on the Duch Top 40
