After amassing over 320k followers on Instagram by gently (and lovingly) poking fun at the Dutch, it’s little surprise that Derek Mitchell’s debut hour of solo standup comedy centers around similar themes of belonging and national clichés. The subject matter may not be completely novel, but Mitchell’s infectious energy and vast range of firsthand experience as an outside observer of various cultures – from his birthplace in the American Midwest, to the many years he spent living in London and Amsterdam – prevent ‘Double Dutch’ from ever feeling stale or repetitive.
After bouncing onstage in Klederdracht – a traditional Dutch dress and apron, complete with yellow clogs and white hat – Mitchell launches straight into the content which has made him so famous. It’s clear from the get-go that, instead of just using these cultural differences as just cheap throwaway gags, he’s is genuinely fascinated by the quirks of the various countries he’s experienced. What’s more, his observations are drawn from a place of affection, not spite; his light-hearted reflections range from the linguistic (how Dutch people swear using the names of illnesses) to the culinary (how fervently British people will defend the difference between an English muffin and a crumpet – as it turns out, the answer is ‘very’).
Mitchell doesn’t shy away from the darker ways in which these stereotypes manifest, however. He acknowledges the ways in which his experience as a white immigrant differs radically from those without such privilege – particularly prescient, given last year’s findings that the UK’s own hostile environment disproportionately affects People of Colour. He also touches on the recent far-right riots in the UK, and highlights the immense stress immigrants deal with day-to-day, especially when dealing with visa trouble.
Transitioning these jokes from bitesize Instagram reels to a full-length Fringe show can’t be easy, even for an experienced performer like Mitchell – as he himself notes, the former is only designed to elicit a brief snort from you before the algorithm serves up the next video, while the latter requires something much more substantial. And yet, ‘Double Dutch’ is ample proof that this transition is possible – and, indeed, can be done excellently.
‘Double Dutch‘ is at Pleasance Courtyard – Baby Grand until Sun 25 Aug 2024 at 22:50
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