Review of the comic's latest tour

Ivo Graham’s certainly gone all-in on the orange theme, from wearing a jumpsuit and beanie of that hue to handing out tangerine treats such as Wotsits and Irn-Bru.

It’s not entirely random. Orange happens to be the branding colour of two causes that have become close to his heart:  The MS Society, raising money to fight the neurological condition that his mother has, and a fan campaign against the owners of his beloved Swindon Town FC.

With a tour that started in Scotland and ends in Belfast, the comedian isn’t oblivious to the sectarian use of the colour, which he addresses with a great visual gag referencing Old Firm rivalry. But otherwise he’s keen to use the colour to represent involvement in grassroots activism and a community of charity fundraisers. 

There’s definitely a sense that the Eton-educated comic wants to put something back, ever-aware of his own privilege. He does a lot of work for charity, and DOES want to talk about it. 

Although there is a certain ‘dogoodery’ vibe to the show, the comedy is not always soft. His mother’s illness opens the door to some decidedly off-colour – and very funny –  gags, edgily sharing a gallows humour beyond the family group. Meanwhile, the Swindon campaign turns out to be ripe for double entendres, which he never fails to exploit, to lesser effect.  

While there is a clear theme about the benefits of getting involved in a cause, Orange Crush is quite a loose hour encompassing a miscellany of other routines – and not all of them feel essential.

A story of failing to meet his literary hero Nick Hornby is made amusing by his petty indignation at the mix-up that denied him the opportunity, though a story about filming a promo video in a hot tub probably falls into the category of ‘you had to be there’.

A knockout game in which we must pick the best orange things as suggested by fellow audience members seems admin-heavy and largely fruitless, if you’ll excuse the orangey pun. At least until the crowd-work uncovers an Eton tutorial group on a night out, which gives some of the badinage a definite edge.  

Whenever his interactions get even the slightest bit spiky, Graham offers an apology for being rude, his ingrained upper-middle-class manners proving hard to shake, even if it comes at the expense of gig momentum. 

It is a remnant of the archetype he is increasingly (but not entirely) leaving behind, of the self-deprecating posh bloke, repressed and a bit useless but bursting with misplaced confidence.

Orange Crush isn’t focussed enough to get the audience riled up for the community action he’s advocating, but is a frequently amusing collection of anecdotes around that theme, and beyond.

• Ivo Graham: Orange Crush is at the Soho Theatre until Saturday, then continues on tour until April. Ivo Graham tour dates

Review date: 14 Oct 2026
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Soho Theatre