Ivo Graham – Binoculars review

At 22-years-old, and having only recently left university, what wisdom could Ivo Graham possibly share with the adult world? Mario Kart tips, that’s what.

Yes, Graham’s Fringe debut covers many topics you’d expect from an unashamedly posh comic barely out of his teens: losing his virginity, unsuccessful romantic attempts, strange games at boarding school etc. ‘I’m not a convincing comedian,’ he jokes, ‘I’m not even a convincing adult male.’

But he tackles his choice of subjects with an intelligent, eloquent wit, and is wonderfully self-aware about his lack of life experience.

Unlike the many uber-confident, t-shirt clad 20-something stand-ups on the circuit, this densely-haired comic is shy and awkward, with a quiet, stuttery delivery and nervous head-nod. He’s very aware of his neuroticism, and takes more pleasure in finding a great discount, or playing a game of Travel Scrabble, than the predictable laddishness of university age. Convenient, really, as he’s recently moved in with his gran, and they share a lot of the same interests.

This is a very assured debut and it's obvious that Graham (once he's grown out of firing red shells at Luigi) is going to mature into an impressive, insightful stand-up. For now, though, just avoid playing him at Mario Kart: drop a banana on Koopa Troopa Beach and things might get violent…

See 'Ivo Graham – Binoculars' at the Edinburgh Fringe