York Theatre Royal – Wednesday 20th November 2024
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
3***
Comedian Ivo Graham visited the wonderful city of York and York Theatre Royal, on a blistering cold Wednesday, or maybe it was a Tuesday, or Thursday night. That was a running joke after he had a mishap whilst doing the introductions off stage. Even before that, the York audience were treated to a York quiz projected onto a screen on stage. We were encouraged to email our answers straight to Graham. I am ashamed to say that I struggled to get even one correct answer, but then again I’m a bit of a nomad and not from Yorkshire, let along York. There is also a pre-show slide show, complete with increasing close-ups of York icon, Dame Judy Dench.
This show is structured slightly different that the usual comedy show, where the support act comes on stage first before the main star. Graham is the supposed 15 minute warm up, he did slightly overrun, before the support act, Alex Kealy. Kealy is not only a fellow comic, but also his best friend, who we later learn, went to the same boarding school as Graham. Not your ordinary school, but Eton. Two self-proclaimed posh boys smashing the comedy circuit.
References about his family certainly pulled at the heartstrings, as well as drawing out laughs from the audience. He never hides the fact of his upbringing, making up for a good part of the show. With questions about how many Rupert’s you knew at school, proved the point. How many did you know? I certainly had no one at my school, but funnily enough I did go to a Prince Rupert School, about as posh as I get. The story about how many of his friends and alumni were made redundant on the same day this year, felicitated probably the biggest laugh of the evening.
Throughout the show Graham uses a lot of slides, depicting photos, anything from Kevin McCloud, whose television show has inspired the naming of this one, to Gareth Southgate, someone he admires, trooping the nice men out of their depth. Not only are there photos, but many lists, and Venn diagrams. Who knew that Venn diagrams could, or would be used in comedy? Genius.
His attention span is quite short and he flittered about, jumping from one topic to another. Saying that, his is very articulate and witty, engaging well with the audience. It was great to see a packed out theatre and Graham is obviously well regarded in York and beyond. An entertaining evening in the beautiful city of York. His UK tour continues throughout the UK.