Gallic Symbol

“Witty acerbic Frenchman seeks audience for one hour only, for fun, adventure, and maybe something more”.

From the second you enter the room to the sounds of sixties French lounge music, and the smell of incense burning, you know you’re in for a ride into all things Francais. For heaven’s sake though, don’t heckle in drunken schoolgirl French if you don’t have the goods. Marcel Lucont bears a startling resemblance to UK comedian Alexis Dubus  reincarnated as Serge Gainsbourg’s lovechild, and embodies everything that those who are not French love to hate about those who are. Smoking, drinking red wine from a carelessly dangled glass, dripping in disdain and insouciance Lucont delivers an hour of sex poetry, dissection of Australian and English “culture” (the five English Jokes are a treat), chapters from his autobiography “Moi” (the poetry and biography beautifully written) and some rather dubious songs that to be honest I could have lived without. No matter, it won’t take away from the experience. Lucont can be witty, predictable, downright hilarious, and downright offensive… It’s a mixed bag, but the show works best when the humour transcends the obvious stereotypes and dives into the crux of what makes a culture “cultured”. With plenty of laughs and a particular flair, this show is worth a look if you’re not easily offended. Why not try Alexis Dubus and Marcel Lucont on the same night? I would.

Kelly Lefever