Ivo Graham

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Thursday 29th June 2017

Did you notice something odd about last year's Edinburgh Fringe? Something amiss? Or just plain missing? Maybe that thing was Ivo Graham, who took last August off to, er, well, we're not sure; quite possibly to catch the first few games of the season for his beloved Swindon Town, for once. Always tricky for football-loving comedians, that - if only they'd see sense and move the Fringe back to July!

Anyway, the wordy Oxbridge gagsmith is back at the Fringe this year with his fourth solo show, Educated Guess, "a jolly romp," he explains, "through the obligatory serious-serious-wacky trifecta of topics: class guilt, pretension, French crisps."

As for Swindon Town's season, they endured a "flaccid, ambitionless relegation," but he has found a few things "to begrudgingly look forward to: a new local derby with vegan upstarts Forest Green Rovers and the prospect of travelling to Carlisle away on the opening day of the season and then returning to Edinburgh in time for my show. Does this wildcat ever pause for breath?"

He does. He paused to ponder his stand-up past for us, via the miracle of electronic mail. And here it is.

First gig?

It was in December 2008 at the Corner Club in Oxford, a short slot I'd managed to secure for myself after a super-casual four-paragraph email to local stand-up guru Adam Brown.

I kept no record of my set from that night, a mistake that proved disastrous when it came to prepping for time-bending late-night Fringe show My First Gig in 2015, and has been a source of frustration to all questionnaire-based interviewers since. So while I think I remember the gig going OK, my decision to live in the moment has been to my great long-term nostalgic cost.

Favourite show, ever?

Magdalen Ball, 2009: a midnight set in a packed comedy tent to a lovely crowd of sharp-suited legends, and the start of a night where I watched Feeder with my friends and stayed up late to kiss a girl widely deemed to be "out of my league".

Worst gig?

Christchurch Ball, 2011: a midnight set in a packed thoroughfare to a hateful bunch of over-dressed pricks, and the start of a night where I watched Tinchy Stryder on my own and went home early to peruse some girls largely advertised to be "in my area".

Who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?

I don't think there's are many people in the comedy industry who I've found disagreeable to deal with in person. That isn't to say that, as with all other walks of life, a good third of them aren't absolutely despicable creatures online, when it comes to the wanky crap they write, tall tales they tell disingenuous personas they construct to make themselves sound impressive. Ugh!

The weirdest gig?

A few years ago I returned to Eton College, my despicably lavish teenage prison, to put on a comedy show for any aspiring Ivos, or "Aspivos", as I call them.

Though the gig was actually a success, I'm never one to pass up an opportunity for a lovely pull back and reveal, so I guess I would say it was pretty weird that, in the school where for years no one had laughed at any of my jokes, here I was telling jokes...that no one laughed at!

You see? It sounded like it was going to be an aspirational tale about dreams coming true, but in fact it was a wise-ass commentary on the cyclical nature of life itself! Three stars!

Is there one routine / gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?

"That bit's just for me." "One of the real fans there." "If you're not enjoying this, fuck off home and never come to a comedy club ever again." All fun things to say onstage, sure, but a little bit "artiste-y" for old Mr Commerce over here. If an audience likes a joke, I cling to it like a rock in a rapid. If they don't laugh, it's in the bin immediately! This is a business!

What's your best insider travel tip, for touring comics?

Choosing London Midland trains over Virgin for trips to Liverpool and Birmingham have saved me many pounds over the years at only marginal cost to my comfort and self-esteem. Screw you, Branson! I'm not too proud to stop at Marston Green!

The most memorable review, heckle or post-gig reaction?

I'd have to say one of the hordes of people who have thanked me post- or even mid-gig for the wit and wisdom I've imparted over the years in my online questionnaires, and stressed the direct link between them reading the questionnaire and buying tickets to watch the show.

How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?

As I always say: why answer this dirty, invasive question directly when you can hint at your wildly fluctuating levels of happiness and self-worth in your answers to all the other questions? See you next year BCG!