Marcel Lucont is a character created and performed by comedian Alexis Dubus. He is a stereotypically-cutting Frenchman, dripping with Gallic contempt, who claims to be “France’s premier misanthropist and lover”.

The performance space is kitted-out like a french café, with tables draped in red and white checked table-cloths and an accordionist slumped in the corner. Marcel’s entrance is preceded by a volley of can-can dancers. He then he sidles onstage advising that “it is an honour…for you to have me here in Edinburgh”. Wearing a tight polo-neck, a smart suit and looking every inch the comic-book Parisian, he sips from a glass of red wine, acting suitably aloof.

His raison d’etre is to belittle the people of the British Isles and he wastes no time in starting to rubbish the inhabitants of both Scotland and England. He pours scorn on the tradition of British newspapers reminding readers that the clocks go forward for British summertime. “Only the British would need the nature of time explained to them”, he sniffs.

The show is mainly short and snappy barbs aimed at the Brits, combined with an exploration of the character’s past, along with a variety of ill-conceived romantic advice. He covers his career in literature, including his self-explanatory book ‘Menage a Cinq’, and reads from his autobiography, titled simply ‘Moi’. This extract, about losing his virginity after being sent a brothel by his father, showcases the performer’s nimble turn-of-phrase and the character’s unreconstructed sensibilities, bluntly demonstrated when he uses the phrase “squeaking like an over-exuberant gay”.

The misanthropic theme continue with a section about feminists (he doesn’t like them) before he returns to his favourite subject of the British with a song entitled ‘The Hostile English Town Song’, inspired by a recent disastrous visit to Plymouth.

A weaker segment follows with Marcel aiming his fire at fat people and Australians, but an examination of the word ‘late’ to describe a dead person and a rant about cheese (Marcel is not a lover of mild cheddar) brings him back into the comedy fold. The sharpest and most offensive line of the show – a uniquely vicious description of women in a local Edinburgh nightclub – is outrageous and a great example of how certain things can be said simply by hiding behind the mask of character comedy.

He finishes with a show-stopping song about the “wonderfulness of life” entitled ‘Viva La Morte’.

Alexis Dubus has created a brilliant and truly monstrous character in Marcel Lucont. His accent is faultless and every facial expression adds depth and realism to the characterisation. The setting adds greatly to the show, as do touches like the dancers, played by Elise Carter and Zoe Ford, and the various asides to the audience. The accordion player, played by Daniel Abrahams, is an ingenious ingredient, sitting looking bored throughout the show, playing with cards or a bottle of wine until his services are called for. These little extras turn the monologue into a real theatrical event.

Marcel, while being obnoxious and pretentious, is actually quite loveable and his charm means that he can get away with saying things that would make most stand-ups blanch. There’s never a moment when the façade drops to reveal any part of Alexis Dubus and the addition of songs adds an extra angle and depth to the character when the pace threatens to flag.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Daniel Abrahams – Accordionist. Elise Carter – Dancer. Alexis Dubus – Marcel Lucont. Zoe Ford – Dancer.

Company Credits: Writer - Alexis Dubus. Company – Good Sense of Humour/Corrie McGuire for Objective Talent. Website – www.alexisdubus.com

END

(c) David Hepburn 2009

reviewed Thursday 13 August 09 / Underbelly, Edinburgh, UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com