Marcel Lucont: Gallic Symbol

Alex Dubus’ masterful comic creation Marcel Lucont is particularly robust in this latest session of Brit-baiting – this year the Kiwis get a tongue-lashing as well. 

Bookended by a pair of short films, it’s a performance of consummate professionalism where every small Gallic glance, shrug and leer elicits laughs.

The monstrous Frenchman sets his stall out early for the newcomers – opening musical number ‘I’m Better Than You’ distilling the very essence of Lucont’s arrogant yet loveable character into two minutes of sneering song.

An undoubted highlight is when Lucont sniffily deigns to try out some "English-style" comedy. It’s a risky move for an English comedian to pretend to be a French raconteur pretending to be an English comedian, but it successfully adds an extra layer to a performance which could otherwise be one joke stretched to breaking point.

It’s a danger that Dubus is clearly aware of as there seems to be more variety than in previous shows. Childhood diaries give an insight into the young Lucont and his bendy friend Maurice, whose sexual talents are the subject of a number of nice callbacks.

Other songs also follow, including the only real low point in the set – a bafflingly puerile (even for the lascivious Lucont) number titled “Continental Breastfest.” He soon recovers though and, maintaining the obsession with all things base, concludes with erotic poetry and some dubious sex advice.

It’s a fun and filthy hour from a character who has now become a Fringe staple.