Sauntering on stage sipping from a large glass of red wine, Marcel Lucont congratulated his lucky audience on their taste in comedy.

The world’s finest faux-French womaniser had a new show to perform, building on his repertoire of softly-mused mockery to incorporate readings from his farcical memoirs and a series of sleazy poems, one of which closed the show by lauding the joys of romantic dalliances in toilet cubicles.

The acerbic Lucont has previously seemed a novelty act, perfectly played by Alexis Dubus.

But the comic has been carrying off his alter-ego for so long that he can spontaneously summon the character’s persona these days, allowing him to smatter his set with off-the-cuff wit in addition to his usual brilliant one-liners and an ingenious set-piece listing 50 ways to leave your lover.

No one was safe from his sharp-tongued barbs, and a woman at the front – perched at one of the Parisian-style bistro tables on offer – was swiftly propositioned in no uncertain terms.

Another unsuspecting recipient of Lucont’s affection was in for an even bigger surprise – at the back of the stage, a Gallic street artist sat at his easel throughout the gig, drawing what turned out to be a portrait of her.

It was hard to tell whether Lucont’s seduction technique had worked when he revealed the finished product and handed it to her during the finale.

For once, this swarthy surrealist’s unique brand of charm may have been spurned.