Emma McAlpine reviews 'France's premier misanthrope' Marcel Lucont.
“I am Marcel Lucont, France’s premier misanthropist.” Alexis Dubus introduces his Gallic character creation with a glass of Bordeaux and a theatrical flick of the wrist. Embodying the classic French stereotype, Lucont is arrogant, xenophobic and something of a lothario. Eyeing up the ladies in the front row, he tells the men not to worry, he won’t be making a move on them because: “I’ve already 'ad my five a day.”
The show is appropriately low-key to fit Lucont’s nonchalant character. He kicks off with some gentle audience baiting, mocking various nationalities in the room, before segueing into some dry quips and sardonic musings. To break up the narrative, he performs some accordion-infused ditties and melodramatic poems about sex in ‘le pissoir’ and ‘English women’s titties’. We also hear some excerpts from his memoirs (entitled Moi of course). While these interludes lack the comedy of his ponderings and improvised sections, knowing a bit of his history gives Lucont’s character an added dimension. He’s not just a misogynistic creep, he’s a misogynistic creep for a reason.
Apart from the added bonus of being able to speak French with several audience members, Dubus is an accomplished actor and pulls off a great performance as Lucont. His little mannerisms from a knowing smirk to an effeminate hand wave all add to the classic parody of the pretentious, arrogant Frenchman. The problem is that even with a bit of a back-story, Lucont is still just a puffed-up cliché. An amusing one at that, but there's not much comic originality or nuance to his character to give it an edge. While there are some sharp lines and clever observations in the script, his words are more likely to raise a titter than a hearty laugh. To stand against the Loretta Maines and Jeremy Lions of the comedy circuit, you've got to have an act with more depth and substance.
Marcel Lucont: Encore is at the Underbelly on Cowgate at 9:30pm until the 29th August.
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