Ooh la la, it’s the return of Marcel Lucont

Stand-up’s Alexis Dubus is better known as his deadpan alter ego Marcel Lucont, the self-styled UK’s “favourite French comedian”, with whom he has been making shows, and quaffing fine wines, for over a decade.

The high status, high-collared “multi-award-deserving flâneur, raconteur and bon-viveur” has performed internationally, and given us chat shows, cabarets, multiple solo shows including Encore, Gallic Symbol, A La Carte, Whine List and Sex In The Time of Corona, and even 2022’s family show Les Enfants Terribles – A Gameshow for Awful Children.

Now, he is back on the road with a selection of his finest moments. Both fans and newcomers to the experience of a Lucont performance should go ready to be insulted, patronised and belittled, and to enjoy every minute of it.

Marcel Lucont – photo: Adam Robertson

Lucont told Bristol24/7 just how lucky we are that he is deigning to visit The Wardrobe Theatre on November 19.

What does it mean for Bristol to be receiving a visit from the greatest French comedian?

“Well it has now been five years since my last tour show in your city. While it’s a shame not much of note has occurred during that time I’m sure we’ll find something to discuss. Tales from that last show have no doubt been passed around by those who were there (and perhaps by people who claimed they were to gain some kind of prestige).

“If for some unfathomable reason you’ve missed one of my previous Bristol shows, this is a ‘Best Of’ – my greatest oeuvres from over a decade of excellence. Now you have a chance to be one of those talking about it for years to come.”

Marcel Lucont – photo: Jason Read

Can you give us an idea of who, and what, inspires you?

“A major influence on me was always the Lyonnais comedian Jean-Jacques LeFebvre, whose talent for a visceral expletive was matched only by his command of the stage and disdain for his audience. He was once ejected from Cannes Film Festival for setting fire to Jack Nicholson’s shoes and, since his passing, has been said to haunt many theatres, pushing over actors mid-production and, in one case, causing a performer to soil himself by passing through him during a soliloquy.

“As for what inspires me to write material, I find I am drawn to bizarre and unfathomable everyday experiences. I have been in Britain for some years now.”

Marcel Lucont ‘Best Of’ – photo: courtesy of Alexis Dubus

How do you feel about your audience?

“Only after I’ve finished off an entire audience can I give a full summary of the experience – some are fruitier than others, some more full-bodied, many have a higher alcohol content than expected, and some just seem corked from the start.

“I do seem to generally be a superb pairing with most audiences though, versatile and wholly memorable, leaving you wanting more.”

Are you able to give us an insight into this show?

“Being a ‘Best Of’ there are insights to be found all over the place – my book, What We French Think Of You British… And Where You Are Going Wrong, my three albums (and Christmas single – unlikely to make an appearance at these shows) and of course multiple superb instances on the worldwide web if you don’t wish to pay actual money to do your research.

“But, in short, you can expect wry (and entirely correct) observations of life, soaring miserabilist chansons and world-class sex poetry.”

Chuckle Busters presents: Marcel Lucont: Le Best Of is at The Wardrobe Theatre on November 19 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at www.thewardrobetheatre.com.

Main photo: Adam Robertson

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