Not many shows are as aptly named as Ivo Graham’s Orange Crush. Inspired by the brat mania which followed the release of Charli XCX’s June 2024 album, Graham decks himself and the stage entirely in a vibrant — you guessed it — orange.
Divided into five categories, the show sees Graham discuss some of his favourite orange things. Several audience members were selected beforehand to guess these items, which provided ample opportunity for riffing. The audience responses (thank you, Alex G and unnamed paprika crisps person) were often unhelpful but occasionally correct, and Graham made light of each one with ease. In some ways, the worse these guesses were, the better for Graham: the on-stage presence he has cultivated truly peaks in moments of exasperation and distress.
However, despite opening by proclaiming himself a “chaotic mess,” Graham’s material is not centred around his typical self-deprecation. Empowered by the colour orange, he turns to confidence instead; he is not only the “top don,” but also the “top Ivo.” The effect is a breath of fresh air shown through the familiar mannerisms and classic Ivo Graham humour the audience have paid to see.
In amongst his jokes of Wotsits, electric bikes, and dinner party blunders are some more heartfelt moments. Graham positions himself as “David Attenborough on the playground,” through which he explores his daughter’s understanding of her parents’ separation and grandmother’s Multiple Sclerosis. In any case, he says with honesty and bashfulness, he has achieved some record marathon times from such traumatic events.
Furthermore, Graham uses his platform to promote the causes dear to his heart, addressing both local and global events. His radical efforts have gone into protesting the board of Swindon Town Football Club, as well as speaking out against the famine and genocide in Gaza. He does not shy away from criticising the University of Edinburgh’s financial ties to Israel either.
Overall, Graham’s set is solid. Being self-aware of his life of “relentless privilege and entitlement” works in his comedic favour, as he becomes the butt of his own jokes without putting others down. Oxymoronic though it may seem, he comes across as down-to-earth Etonian who stands up for his morals.
Ivo Graham: Orange Crush is running until 24 August at the Grand Theatre at Pleasance Courtyard.
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of Matt Stronge, provided to The Student as press material.