Encore is an award-winning show filled with often painfully funny observations on sex, relationships, language, death, wine, erectile dysfunction, Christmas, fake breasts — delivered by a smug French nihilist.

Marcel Lucont approaches the microphone to his own French voice-over and poses weightily on one of his bare feet with a sardonic expression, a glass of red swirling in one hand. Debonair in a turtleneck and blue suit, he proclaims himself France’s premier misanthropist and lover. “It is an honour… for you to have me here.”

Initial crude spontaneous banter in a thick French accent reveals Lucont as a misogynist cynic, yet his handsome arrogance and nonchalance are swoon worthy. He targeted several audience members including a girl in the front row and a French expat, who he conversed with in French, confusing the majority with little knowledge of the language.

Lucont offers his advice through cheeky one-liners. Rather than a bundle of joy, he warns that children might be a “bundle of hate,” the very worst of each parent. Lucont includes several wry local observations on pedestrian crossings, bogans, Rockingham and staying chic in the hot weather.

Placed on a small table beside the raconteur is a red check tablecloth, corked bottle of wine, his memoir Moi and “self-award winning” publication What We French Think Of You British And Where You Are Going Wrong. Lucont frequents both bottle and book during the show. His list of “50 ways to leave your lover” ranges from “walk” to “fire yourself from a cannon into a pool of nude women.” Lucont gives the audience their pick of surprisingly sophisticated graphic poems about sex in restrooms, “brittie titties,” or erectile dysfunction. Coolly delivered excerpts from his memoir include such delightful similes as “suicidal snowflakes” and a joke about Amy Winehouse.

While his song 15-love was clever, it seemed to drag out and was far less effective than his poetry and the punchline to the artist companion’s presence was not quite worth the suspense.

It is British comedian Alexis Dubus’ clever anti-jokes, turns of phrase and witty observations as Marcel, rather than his caricature of a Gainsburgian Frenchman, that truly impresses.

Encore runs until the 6th at the Metcalfe Playhouse and Marcel Lucont’s Cabaret Fantastique runs until the 4th at the Spiegeltent at midnight. With such a witty compere and such outlandish talent as Perth’s own Tomas Ford, I’d recommend only the brave take front row seats for this showcase of some of the best acts at Fringe World.