Words: Caitlin Todd
3 stars
Set on New Year’s Eve and his 100th birthday, Scaramouche Jones sees the title character deliver a mesmerising monologue recounting the tragic, twisting tale of his life. Thom Tuck returns to the role with remarkable presence, this being his third outing as Jones, following performances in 2005 and 2015, and he delivers a masterclass in storytelling.
Tuck commands the intimate space with captivating precision, effortlessly shifting between accents, holding the audience spellbound throughout. His sensitivity to the room is notable; a quick, protective gesture to a young audience member during mature dialogue showed both professionalism and care.
While the stripped-back setting works in the show’s favour, a subtle underscore could have elevated certain moments, particularly given the contrast between the atmospheric pre-show experience outside the venue and the silence upon entering. A few minor technical hiccups occurred which was unfortunate, but Tuck handled them and continued the performance.
If this is to remain a once-a-decade tradition, it’s one well worth keeping. Here’s to another unforgettable evening with Scaramouche Jones in 2035.
Scaramouche Jones
Big Yurt at Hoots @ Potterrow
14:45
1st– 25th August (Not 11th)