SCARAMOUCHE JONES Higher Ground East Until 14 Mar 2010 Review by Jamie Wright It’s December 31, 1999, and white-faced clown Scaramouche Jones is about to turn 100. In his near- century of life, he’s travelled most of the world and seen more than his fair share of heartbreak. Justin Butcher, performing from his own script and directed by Guy Masterson, is outstanding in this non-stop, one-hour-and-twenty-minute epic bildunsgroman tale that takes the audience on journey from the West Indies through Africa, the Middle East, Venice, Poland and – harrowingly – a World War 2 concentration camp. The script – drawing on sources as wide-ranging as Greek mythology, opera, the Bible and Gilbert & Sullivan - is a masterpiece of wordplay on its own, captivating and evocative and a delight for the ears. When combined with Butcher’s electric stage presence and physicality, mastery of accents and grasp of timing, both comic and tragic, it becomes an enthralling and moving piece of theatre. The set is simple but includes useful props; perfectly-timed sound effects, music and clever lighting add to the atmosphere and mood. Scaramouche Jones is, simply put, a stunning piece of theatre – hilarious and touching, tragic and genuine. Rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5)