When old Etonians are seized by revolutionary zeal, it usually ends in botched efforts to install tinpot African dictators. Or driving Wrexham up the football league with the wealth of Hollywood stars. But the radicalisation of Ivo Graham is far more entertaining. Trying to maintain as dedicated but laissez-faire an attitude to raising his daughter as possible, despite the fallout of his split from her mother, the chaotic posho nevertheless wants to fulfil his child’s wish of him having a favourite colour. And in this regard he’s gone full Agent Orange, embracing a tangerine colour scheme from head to toe and beyond, while vaingloriously advocating to be known only by his distinctive mononym.
A patron and fundraiser for The MS Society because of his mother’s struggles with the condition and member of a protest group for overthrowing the board running his beloved Swindon Town FC, Graham seeks to promote their orange branding. He’s mindful of issues with sporting the colour in sectarian Scotland, taking steps to temper controversy. Generally though, he’s guzzling heartily from the citrus fountain of inspiration, inveigling his audience into his movement by asking them to nominate their favourite orange snacks and beverages.
His adopted civic pride in Swindon lends itself to further activism. But it’s Graham’s self-lacerating wit and his agitated energy that once again powers his hour. He ends with the hilarious account of erupting in petulant frustration at a dinner party for having his privileged fanboy dreams frustrated, lest you imagine he’s just about the good causes now.
Ivo Graham: Orange Crush, Pleasance Courtyard, until 24 Aug, 9.20pm