Ivo Graham knows the chaos of Edinburgh in August as much as anyone. A comedian with over a decade of Fringe expertise and a genuine connection to the city, the festival has been a cornerstone of his career.
A household name with appearances on Taskmaster and other popular panel shows, he is bringing a double-bill this year, with stand-up show Orange Crush and Graham Back in the Green, a work-in-progress in the theatre section. On top of this, he’s discussing his new book – Yardsticks For Failure – at the Book Festival and running his popular late-night party Comedians’ DJ Battles at La Belle Angele.
“I like the chaos a bit, and I like the fact that I’m doing a few different things again,” he says.
Graham gives a clear sense of someone who loves doing as much as possible but is aware of shifting priorities as he grows further into fatherhood and caring for his much-loved daughter.
“For better or worse, [Orange Crush] covers my hometown of Swindon,” he explains, “and my attempts to get more involved in the football club and the community, and the simultaneous pride and embarrassment that those have brought me over the last few months.” Meanwhile, his theatre work-in-progress centres on a more personal telling of his life “getting a bit more serious.”
His busy August this year resembles a similarly manic Fringe in 2023, which has informed his approach this year. 2023 “was pretty exhausting,” Graham says, “but I learned so much.” This included a theatre show that “ended up being the show I’m probably proudest of ever doing.”
“I started to look forward to the hour of the theatre show more and more every day,” he continues, “because it was the only hour of the day where I knew exactly what was going to happen, and I was proud of it.”
Where he once revelled in spontaneity and chaos, this experience is now informing his stand-up as he looks to “bear that lesson in mind and just make it as simple and effective as possible.”
His book brings some of these competing forces together while delivering emotional surprises. Focusing on a rollercoaster two years which include his breakthrough appearance on Taskmaster, there are whistle-stop nods to further back such as his childhood and a year-by-year Fringe account dating back to 2009.
“The one consolation amidst the fear that it’s all very self-absorbed, is that it is opening up other people’s memories or conversations about parallel experiences in their own lives.”
I mention how his Fringe chapter did exactly that for me, a reflection on how so many Edinburgh Festivals come to track different life stages. But Graham also raises the ongoing issues that surround the Festivals, including rising accommodation costs. “I’m pleased to have contributed to the modern history of the Fringe,” although unfortunately, “it’s a great thing, but it’s in danger.”
When asked about his future, Graham has plenty more he wants to do. As well as building on the collective achievements of his theatre work, he wants to continue writing – whether books or scripts – as well as holding more club nights. “I think that some of the collective moments we’ve created at those have been so exciting and memorable.”
Ultimately, he admits, “it’s not possible to do all of these things.” He hopes to focus on “slowing down a bit” as he further embraces parenthood, his local community, and works on personal projects with family and friends.
“That’s essentially where I am; I’m standing at the crossroads between all of these different things that I would like to dedicate myself to, and all of which are really important to me in various ways. Some of which are actively important to my career, some of which are more important to my family.”
When I say I’m excited to find out whatever he decides to do next, he is “proud of that”.
“I like to think that I’m someone who people are interested to see what they’re going to do next, because there’s a degree of surprise in there.”
For now, Graham’s keeping busy. That element of surprise combined with his enthusiasm and refreshing candour make him one to catch this August, whether you’re escaping the chaos during his shows or embracing it collectively on the dancefloor.
Ivo Graham: Orange Crush, Pleasance Courtyard, 12-24 Aug, 9.20pm
Graham Back in the Green, Pleasance Courtyard, 13-24 Aug, 2.15pm
Ivo Graham: The Glory and the Chaos, EIBF Courtyard Theatre, 15 Aug, 5.45pm
Comedians’ DJ Battles, La Belle Angele, 23 Aug, 11pm