Remco Veldhuis and Richard Kemper, the Dutch cabaret duo known for their insightful and often self-deprecating humor, are weaving personal grief into their latest stage show, Kunnen het niet laten
(Can’t Help It). The production, their twelfth, is imbued with the recent loss of both their mothers, a shared experience that has profoundly shaped the performance.
The duo’s history stretches back to 1997, when a mutual friend, exasperated by their individual complaints about needing to create a cabaret show, finally connected them. After numerous discussions, Veldhuis & Kemper debuted their first performance in 1999 at the small hall of the Concertgebouw in Haarlem, performing for friends, and family. Their breakthrough came in the same year, securing second place at the Cameretten festival, following Marc-Marie Huijbregts.
The current tour, Kunnen het niet laten
, follows their previous successful show, Hou dat vast
(Hold Onto That), which ran from 2022-2023. The new production is described as a deeply personal work, reflecting on themes of loss, acceptance, and the complexities of family relationships. According to reports, the emotional weight of the show was palpable at a recent performance, with one audience member visibly overcome with emotion.
The timing of their mothers’ passing, just a week before the premiere, added an unexpected layer of rawness to the show. The duo acknowledged the coincidence, and the impact it had on their performance. The experience, while intensely painful, appears to have deepened the connection between the two performers and resonated powerfully with audiences.
Veldhuis & Kemper’s journey from the television and advertising worlds to the Dutch theatre scene is a testament to their enduring partnership. They’ve built a reputation for honest, relatable comedy that doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects. Their ability to find humor in vulnerability is a hallmark of their work, and Kunnen het niet laten
seems to be their most emotionally resonant show yet.
The success of Kunnen het niet laten
has prompted the duo to announce an additional one hundred shows for the 2025/2026 season, building on the momentum of their current run. They are scheduled to continue performing the show through the end of June. This expansion speaks to the strong positive reception the show has received, with the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper praising it as one of their best performances in fifteen years.
Beyond the stage, Veldhuis & Kemper have also released the songs from Kunnen het niet laten
on streaming platforms like Spotify, produced in collaboration with Arno Krabman and Gordon Groothedde. This move, mirroring their approach with previous shows, allows audiences to experience the music from the performance outside of the theatre setting. The songs were released on .
In a recent interview, Veldhuis & Kemper touched upon the irony of their public persona versus their private actions, acknowledging a perceived contradiction between their progressive values and their occasional air travel. This self-awareness, a recurring theme in their work, suggests a willingness to confront their own imperfections and engage in honest self-reflection.
Veldhuis & Kemper’s longevity in the Dutch cabaret scene is remarkable. Their ability to consistently evolve while remaining true to their core comedic sensibilities has earned them a dedicated following. Kunnen het niet laten
represents not only a new chapter in their artistic journey but also a poignant exploration of grief, memory, and the enduring power of human connection.
