2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Trish Lee)
Ivo Graham: Carousel at the North Wall Arts Centre on Wednesday, April 9 Review by JON LEWIS The Memory Collection Ivo Graham’s honest, bittersweet solo show Carousel is about memory and remorse. The story begins at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station during the Fringe Festival as Graham rushes for the sleeper train to London, getting on with minutes to spare because he’s desperate to see his young daughter. With a film of the countryside speeding by, projected onto a screen at the back of the stage, Graham leads the audience on a journey into his memory bank.
The stage is dominated by a noticeboard plastered with items suggesting a life of movement and travel. Graham’s narrative is framed by what he calls ‘Narnias of nostalgia’ - moments rather than memories, brought to our attention by his list of ‘10 things I’ll never throw away’. Most of these items are pinned to the noticeboard during the show.
These props spark poignant stories that take Graham from his early life in Japan, poignant recollections of his beloved grandmother, studying Russian at Oxford University and relationships with girlfriends who are given ironic pseudonyms like Jekyll and Hyde. Graham ensures his memories are relatable by enthusing about his passions for Swindon Town (risky in front of an Oxford audience) and running the London Marathon with his brother somewhere ahead of him. Buckinghamshire New University becomes a surprising running gag for its role as a venue for his comedy performances.
Amusingly, a clay effigy of a screaming head Graham made as a boy (Graham gets big laughs for his gargoyle impersonation) is accompanied by a sample Psycho’s shower scene music. Carousel is expertly directed by Matt Hassall for Off The Kerb, the management company that produces Graham’s stand-up tours and residences in Edinburgh. Music infuses the storytelling, sometimes becoming the reason for a particular reminiscence.
Loss of loved ones is a constant theme. He misses the time he doesn’t spend with his daughter. Graham regrets the passing of physical tickets because online downloads cannot be stored or displayed on noticeboards.
With Carousel, Graham has joined the ranks of storyteller James Rowland and fellow Oxford alumnus and comedian Keiran Hodgson in mining lived experiences for their confessional performances..
