Review of Marcus Brigstocke: Je m’accuse – I am Marcus, Fringe 2013

I’d seen Marcus Brigstocke hobbling around Edinburgh on crutches before finally being able to catch his show in Assembly Hall this year. He had been trying to make his way up Dundas Street, towards Queen Street, and needless to say was finding that quite a challenge.

I wasn’t surprised when a stage hand/usher pulled back the curtain to allow Marcus to hobble out and in front of the audience. It’s not a stand up show, it’s a lean up. His joke, not mine!

Last year I admitted to some unease on his use of accents in comedy. He uses them again, to an even greater extent this year, and insists it’s not racist. Brigstocke is sure it’s only racist if the accent is done with malevolent intent. He certainly acknowledges that some in the audience might feel uncomfortable. I’m going to park the debate, it is clear to me that Marcus Brigstocke isn’t racist and he’s a comedian who delights in exploring accents. He’s got quite a talent for it too.

I really enjoyed the show. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

The secret to success in Je m’accuse – I am Marcus isn’t just with Brigstocke’ intellect and passion. The secret to this show is that it’s so very personal. We hear about health issues of today and health issues from yesteryear. Brigstocke’s had a few. It’s a testament to the man that he is where he is today – on TV, hugely popular at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and widely recognised.

I’ve filed out of a fair number comedy shows in my time, one of hundreds of punters in a queue leaving the building after a gig after the comedian has had their hour. I’ve heard plenty of post-show analysis from the audience as we shuffle around the winding corridors of Edinburgh buildings adapted to host the festival. As we left Rain Hall, a venue deep into the guts of the larger Assembly Hall venue, I heard a wealth of post-show chat from the audience, “Is it true?” wondered one woman. “That’s an incredible story” said another once we got to the bottom of the stairs. “I never knew” was a phrase I heard several times.

Combine comedy, with emotion and with a surprising story about the background of a popular TV level comedian and it is easy to see why Je m’accuse – I am Marcus sells out.

This is a show that makes you laugh and makes you feel good about yourself. Catch it while you can.