Robbert Verreth Wins 14th Lunatic Comedy Award

Belgian comedian Robbert Verreth has won the 14th edition of the Lunatic Comedy Award, one of the oldest and most prestigious comedy competitions in Flanders. The final, held on May 16 at the Minardschouwburg in Ghent, saw Verreth triumph over three other finalists in a contest decided entirely by audience vote, with no jury involved.

A Prestigious Platform for Emerging Talent

The Lunatic Comedy Award is organized by The Lunatic Comedy Club, a Ghent-based improvisational comedy collective founded on May 27, 1998, by Stef Vanpoucke, Dimitri Desmyter, Raf Verdonck, and Kurt Van Rossem. The non-profit organization, run by approximately 45 volunteers, has as its mission “to promote improvisational theater and comedy.” The club pioneered stand-up comedy and improvisational theater in Flanders, and its alumni include notable figures such as Jonas Geirnaert, Koen De Poorter, Jelle De Beule, and Henk Rijckaert.

The competition has a storied history of identifying future stars of Flemish comedy. Past winners include household names such as Philippe Geubels (2006), Lieven Scheire (2002), Jens Dendoncker (2015), Lukas Lelie (2013), and most recently Robbe Boons (2025). According to Wikipedia, the award is held approximately every two years, with interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s edition drew over 60 initial registrations, from which 59 entries were reviewed by a jury. Fifteen candidates were selected for preliminary rounds, where a critical audience jury and eminent figures helped narrow the field. Four finalists emerged — Kathleen Peters, Vincent Belmans, Robbert Verreth, and Laurien Vereecken (who received a wildcard spot). The final was hosted by Jasper Posson, himself a former winner of the award in 2017.

A Night of High-Energy Comedy

According to VRT NWS, the evening was characterized by what the reviewer described as “Sturm und Drang” — high energy and sharp wit — with notably little socio-political material, a trend the reviewer noted as declining in comedy.

Verreth, a comedian from Borgerhout, Antwerp, who is just under 30 years old, impressed the audience with his distinctive style. Rather than relying on rapid-fire jokes, Verreth’s performance was built on physical comedy, energetic movement, and a memorable series of metaphors in which a coat (“ne frak”) represented potential partners. The VRT NWS review praised his “physical play, sharp tempo, and a beautiful series of metaphors,” calling him “with a slight lead, the strongest of the evening.”

Verreth, who incorporates his ADHD diagnosis into his stage persona, told VRT NWS after his win: “I’ve been at it for a while and a win like this feels good, then you know there might be a future on stage. My set landed, the audience laughed, and that’s not always the case.”

The Other Finalists

The competition featured a strong field. Laurien Vereecken, from Moerzeke in East Flanders and just over 30, brought fast-paced comedy drawing on her youth, village life, and romantic disappointments. Vincent Belmans, 25, from Geel, showed promise with audience interaction and an absurdist style, though he has only two years of stage experience. Kathleen Peters, originally from Limburg and now based in Brussels, showcased wordplay and good timing with jokes about navigating life as a lesbian.

What the Award Means

The Lunatic Comedy Award has an impressive track record as a launchpad for comedy careers. Zwartekat.nl, the comprehensive Dutch-language cabaret and comedy website, confirmed the win and noted the award’s significance in the Flemish comedy landscape.

For Verreth, the prize brings not only eternal fame and a cash prize but also credibility and exposure in a competitive scene. The winner is determined solely by audience vote, mirroring the real-world dynamic of stand-up comedy where success depends on live audience response. The VRT NWS reviewer noted that the 2026 final was characterized by “Sturm und Drang” — high energy and sharp wit — with notably little socio-political material, a trend the reviewer described as a dying trend in comedy.

Verreth’s background includes participation in Humo’s Comedy Cup (2021, 2025) and the Levels Comedy Club’s “De klas van ‘26” program, demonstrating a steady trajectory through the Flemish comedy circuit. His win at the Lunatic Comedy Award represents a significant milestone in a career that has been building over several years.

Looking Ahead

Speaking about his plans, Verreth said: “Winning this award, with such an impressive list of winners, I’m incredibly happy and grateful. This feels good. And now? Work, perform a lot, and slowly write a longer show.”

With the Lunatic Comedy Award’s track record of predicting future success, Verreth joins a lineage of comedians who have gone on to become major figures in Flemish entertainment. His immediate focus is on building his stage experience and developing a full-length show — the next steps on a promising comedy career.