Comedy / Alexis Dubus
Interview: Marcel Lucont
In Marcel Lucont’s Whine List, France’s finest flâneur brings a new interactive show to the baying masses, a kind of self-help group where everyone potentially leaves more depressed. Expect louche musings, deadpan wit and Gallic superiority from the 2015 Chortle Award Winner.
Whine List features some audience input, is that right? Can you tell us more about that? What are the pleasures and challenges of this kind of set?
Don’t be concerned, most of the input is eventually from me. But yes, it begins with audience members revealing to me their whines, their concerns, their misdemeanours in life. I do not claim to offer any solutions for these, the whole show is like a kind of group therapy, but one where potentially everybody will leave more depressed.
The show is different for me every night and I get to discover the full depravity of British audiences. The challenge is when somebody embellishes or invents a tale and is then revealed a fraud to the entire room, simply adding to their list of regrets in life.
How do you think Brexit is panning out for Britain?
It seems to be going unarguably well for you, everybody seems content with every decision made following that simple “in” or “out” vote and every European hopes and believes you will power forward and forge that Empire of yours again.
Haven’t we been more insular and ripe for mockery than ever, over the past year or so?
Yes. See above.
Any thoughts on the current state of things in your beloved France, ahead of this month’s elections?
In France we enjoy a bit more of a debate as citizens, accepting that whoever is in charge of any government will undoubtedly be corrupt in some way. However, our leaders always have a shiny guillotine winking at them from history in the back of their minds. We enjoy a bit of retro chic, this could make a comeback at any time…
You spend a lot of time in Britain, yet it seems in many ways a place unsuited to your worldview. What keeps you here?
I spend perhaps six months of each year in Britain. I travel to where true culture is required the most. Of course my psyche and Britain’s clash ideologically on a daily basis, but ultimately my job is made so easy in your country. To be able to walk out of the door and have jokes presented almost fully-formed: well, call me lazy, but who does not enjoy a job with minimal effort required?
Marcel Lucont’s Whine List The Lantern, Thursday, April 13. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.colstonhall.org/shows/marcel-luconts-whine-list
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