Recently seen dancing impressively around a prison in a fizzy pop ad, Thom Tuck’s Fringe career has been less obviously commercial, with several recurring favourites: alternative comedy club nights, occasional musical tributes to obscure indie bands, and – every ten years – the return of Scaramouche Jones.
“What’s wrong with a bit of fear and delight?” ponders the weary clown, in full regalia, as his tale begins. Tuck first played Jones just out of university in 2005, and promised to do it “every decade until he is dead,” according to the flyer. Which is appropriate, as Justin Butcher’s play is the last testament of a veteran turn, on Millennium eve. And quite a life he led.
With his other Fringe hats it’s easy to forget what a compelling actor Tuck can be, as the decades fall away and the re-energised Jones reminisces; from impoverished Caribbean beginnings, through Africa and Europe, great kindness and unimaginable evil. His horrific role in a concentration camp turns out not to be the most troubling sequence, remarkably – that’s a cliffhanger moment with a young bride. Real edge-of-the-bench stuff, in this sultry yurt.
Tuck tackles it all, fear and delight, with glorious gusto – and experience, of course, each decade adding depth to those lines. That’s something to look forward to in 2035, at least.
Scaramouche Jones, Hoots @ Potterow, until 25 Aug (not 11), 2.45pm