I first encountered Ivo Graham under very odd circumstances. I was contracting for a start-up and they had invited me to their Christmas party, which, obviously, they had hired a private and very extravagant manor house in Oxford for.

On the bill for post dinner entertainment were Josh Widdicombe, Sean Lock, Jimmy Carr… and Ivo Graham! Yes, this start-up had far too much money and the intimacy of it all felt a bit awkward – but also somewhat incredible.

The fact that I have never forgotten Ivo Graham, despite him having to perform against three household names, should give you some idea of just how good this clown was.

Fast forward to his Rear Courtyard show in 2021. We had just seen Mark Watson in the same venue and yet coming back slightly later in the evening with the lights up and the skies dark gave a completely different vibe to the space.

This was a work in progress show, and the only night that our clown would perform at this year’s Fringe, but because of his style and delivery it actually felt weirdly polished. He has a sort of ‘Four Weddings Hugh Grant’ flow to his delivery that means his occasional stammers and pauses actually come across as charming.

Couple this style with a delightfully indulgent continued back and forth with Irn-Bru-drinking everyman ‘Jason’ in the front row and you have all of the ingredients for an incredibly funny show.

Good material, better delivery… I am so glad we caught this clown’s one night in town and looking forward to seeing the finished show.

Clown Stars (-unrated-)

@Pleasance Rear Courtyard, Edinburgh