Knacki Deuser in Cologne

Ever heard of Knacki Deuser?  You should have, he's only one of the biggest names in German comedy!  He's a Rheinlander who found the inspiration for a show that would later become the legendary "Nightwash", in New York City. "I noticed the difference in the way people experienced comedy there. We would go to shows and everyone was so loose and casual about it. It was all so uncomplicated, not stiff and planned like in Germany. People would go out after work and want to do something, so they would go to a comedy club. They didn’t have to order their tickets three months in advance and plan their schedules around it. It was just somewhere they went when they felt like it. So we tried to figure out how to bring that type of atmosphere to the German comedy scene. We decided to create a training camp for a new breed of comedians, a place where they could learn their stuff and perform it in front of an audience to get the feedback they needed to become good comedians. We weren’t sure where to stage it and thought of strange locations such as Butcher Shops, Café’s and even a bus stop". Then Knacki remembered this “Waschsalon”, a Laundromat where students used to do their laundry. It was big enough for up to 50-60 people to sit and watch comedians perform, while they waited for their laundry. "It took us four months to get authorisation" says Deuser, "but we finally got the OK. We used the window ledge as a stage and started our first show. People would look in the window and wonder what was going on. We only planned two shows but had around thirty people at first one and over 65 by the end, and they wanted more. So we decided to try it for one year. Several friends decided to help set up the web site and the music and we were up and running".  If you've never seen it you really should - it's better live but it's also on TV.  And now - after months of discussions and negotiations - Knakki has finally agreed to bring his innovative and relaxed stlye to Hollywood's Comedy Nights - and it promises to be a great show.  Book now for good seats - and store up your dirty washing in preparation - if you like him, the next time you might see Knacki is at the laundromat - you can have a laugh while you launder!
Nightwash website - www.nightwash.de
Tickets - Hollywood's Comedy Nights - www.hollywoodscomedynights.de
(excerpts of this story are from an article written by Johnny Hollywood for Rhine Magazine)