Thom Tuck has been awarded the Michael Topping Award for Scaramouche Jones – his virtuoso performance as a white-faced clown who moves through twentieth century history.
Michael Topping, who is a veteran writer, musician and performer, best known for his Fringe double act Topping and Butch was invited to a selection of recommended shows and asked to choose the most outstanding show.
He said of Tuck’s performance as the one hundred-year-old clown Scaramouche Jones: “I was totally enraptured with his performance. I lost myself in it. His storytelling and his mime were superb and the imagery and the writing were mind blowing. I felt as if I had been on a very long journey – but the show passed so quickly.”
The tragi-comic play was written by Justin Butcher, and takes place in a yurt at Hoots Potterow. Tuck has promised to reprise his performance as Scaramouche Jones once every ten years for the remainder of his life.
Also shortlisted for the Michael Topping Award were:
Arthur Hull’s FLOP: The Best Songs From The Worst Musicals Ever Written at Gilded Balloon. Topping loved 20-year-old Arthur’s playing and singing and said it was reminiscent of Tim Minchin, who is also Arthur’s hero. He said: “I think he is a future star.”
Simon Munnery, at The Stand. Michael described him as a “comic genius with amazing acting ability.”
Fountain Lakes in Lockdown: A Drag Parody Play at the Gilded Balloon. Topping, who used to perform in drag as Malitza von Hove said: “This was very good character drag. The performers were always believable and very funny.”
Midnight at the Palace, a new musical set in counter-culture San Francisco in the seventies, which is at the Gilded Balloon. Topping praised the singing, harmony, and ensemble playing of the eight strong cast. He said: “They all sang well, individually and together.”
Scaramouche Jones: 14.45, Big Yurt at Hoots@Potterow, until August 24
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/scaramouche-jones
Arthur Hull’s FLOP: The Best Songs From the Worst Musicals Ever Written: 20.45, Gilded Balloon Appleton Tower, until August 24
Simon Munnery: 15.15 The Stand Comedy Club, until August 25
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/simon-munnery
Fountain Lakes in Lockdown: A Drag Parody Play, Gilded Balloon Appleton Tower, until August
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/fountain-lakes-in-lockdown-a-drag-parody-play
Midnight at the Palace, 21.30, Gilded Balloon Patter House, until August 24
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/midnight-at-the-palace
