So, technically, this was “the big one“. A nearly sold-out audience gathered to see Ivo Graham in the Pleasance’s showcase space – the almost 1,000-seater Pleasance Grand. We’ve seen some stellar performances here before, from Ed Byrne and Reginald D Hunter fracturing some funny bones, to Tim Minchin turning a comedy show into a full-on rock concert!

With such a legacy comes a bit of pressure, but we’ve seen this clown before, and we weren’t worried.

Ivo leans into his ‘posh boy’ vibe right from the start, opening with some cracking jokes about how a bunch of his peers recently lost their jobs… you know, just after the election. It’s probably the most humble way to announce you went to Eton!

Next, he ventures into brave territory that most comedians might avoid, especially in Scotland – he starts talking about the England football team and his “patron saint of nice men out of their depth“, Gareth Southgate. It’s a delightful set that clearly comes from a place of love but also playfully acknowledges that success isn’t exactly on the cards for any of our home nations.

Cue a barrage of PowerPoint slides, including some top-notch Venn diagrams and drinking game rules, Before he wraps things up with the story of a meticulously planned stag do for his mate (fellow clown Alex Kealy), which, surprisingly, features way more mentions of The London Review of Books (yes, really) than you’d ever imagine.

This is a thoroughly entertaining show that more than lives up to the pressures of its venue, thanks to Graham’s skilful crafting and commanding delivery, in which his smarts and pedigree is deftly undercut with mischief and self-deprecation. Ivo is touring ‘Grand Designs’ throughout 2024, and you can find details of his gigs here.

Clown Stars: * * * *

@The Pleasance, Edinburgh