Max & Ivan

Max & Ivan
Notable workThe Casebook of Max & Ivan
The Reunion
W1A
Comedy career
Years active2007–present
MediumTheatre, radio, television
GenresComedy, sketch comedy, theatre
Websitewww.maxandivan.com

Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez are a British comedy duo known collectively as Max & Ivan. They are the creators, writers and stars of the BBC Radio 4 series The Casebook of Max & Ivan and Channel 4 Comedy Blap The Reunion. They also appear together as Ben & Jerry in BBC Two's W1A.

The duo met at Royal Holloway, University of London, where they produced the radio show (and later podcast) Max and Ivàn: Exposed for the college's Insanity Radio station. They co-founded London improvised comedy theatre The Free Association and perform live narrative sketch comedy across the world.

Style and influences

In episode 73 of The Comedian's Comedian with Stuart Goldsmith, Max & Ivan describe their live shows as narrative sketch comedy; writing character-led narratives that feature interweaving plot lines. They perform these multi-character shows with no costume changes and minimal use of props.

Comedy acts that Max & Ivan have cited as influences include The League of Gentlemen, Victoria Wood, Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Steve Coogan and the Marx Brothers.

References

  1. ↑ "ABOUT - Max & Ivan". Max & Ivan. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  2. ↑ "The Casebook of Max and Ivan - BBC Radio 4". BBC. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "Comedy Blaps - On Demand - All 4". Channel 4. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  4. ↑ "Graduate Profiles, Royal Holloway University of London". Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  5. ↑ "Max and Ivan: Exposed on iTunes". iTunes Store.
  6. ↑ "The FA Team". The Free Association. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  7. ↑ "SXSW: Max and Ivan fly the flag for British comedy in Texas". The Independent. 7 March 2013. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  8. ↑ "73 – Max And Ivan (Live)". The Comedian's Comedian. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  9. ↑ "Max and Ivan's top ten comedians". Time Out London. Retrieved 19 March 2017.