EdFringe Talk: Twonkey’s Zip Wire to Zanzibar

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“The fringe has got a bit smaller sense Covid which I think is a good thing. It got too big, I remember 2019 that was the biggest Fringe ever had more than 5,000 shows. This year has 3,352 shows so It’s lot smaller now which is better I think.

WHO: Paul Vickers aka Mr.Twonkey,Twonks or Twonketta

WHAT: “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Performed in drag as the vaudevillian widow Twonketta, a lady who is somewhat late for church. This year it’s a thriller about rival rollercoasters and fairgrounds set by a smoky lagoon in a valley once owned by ex-milkman-turned-singer Shakin’ Stevens. An award-winning trailblazer of a show featuring Fringe royalty such as: the Steve Martin puppet made from sanitary towels, the pocket princess and the flugelhorn-tooting Tutti Cnutti. ‘Clowning at its very best’ ***** (Scotsman). ‘His idiotic joy is infectious: he is a masterclass in play’ ***** (NeurodiverseReview.co.uk).”

WHERE: Other Room at Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly (Venue 414) 

WHEN: 20:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s never the same twice but it would really frightening if it was, Groundhog Day. I’ve done 13 solo shows and I’ve written 2 plays and put them on at the fringe too, so 15 fringe shows in total.

The most famous one had me playing David Lynch which was a bit like Les Dawson playing David it was a real experience that one. My normal show is the Twonkey show if you can call it normal.
I use puppets, I sing songs and I tell jokes. This year i’m dressing up as lady i’m playing Mr.Twonkey’s widow, I like to push myself.

The fringe has got a bit smaller sense Covid which I think is a good thing. It got too big, I remember 2019 that was the biggest Fringe ever had more than 5,000 shows. This year has 3,352 shows so It’s lot smaller now which is better I think The first Fringe was just Peter Cook in a pub that was maybe too small, lol.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

In 2023 I was doing Twonkey at the Voodoo Rooms ballroom, It was a fun year it was great to playing such an amazing room but it was my Greatest Hits show so I pulled out all the stops.
I was on all the lampposts and felt like a real star but I learnt those lampposts cost money BABY!
So I’m at the super cute and friendly Dragonfly, the staff are wonderful and Alex who runs the venue is a lovely man, so I feel at home. I’ve played many venues but I think Dragonfly is the closest to a real home I have had.

Tell us about your show.

t’s a bit like a one man Carry On franchise now. This year is my Carry On Up the Khyber or maybe Carry On Regardless, I don’t know for sure.

It has a plot line that’s goes back years to when show was performed by a small baby dragon which sadly got smashed into tiny lumps on a pool table during the semi finals of the Laughing Horse new comic of the year awards. It’s actually a bit like Doctor Who as I travel through space and time and have many adventures this year we are off to Zanzibar on a zip wire, last year it was Peru on a ship and one year I ran a restaurant during World War 2 and even a jet ski up the Mississippi.

I’m autistic so I’m going full genderfluid this year and why not?

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Sam Nicoresti : Baby Doomer,

Sam is ace and free wheeling and very funny.
She deals with sensitive issues in a way that never feels overwhelming or heavy-handed.
Go.

Athens of The North : Mark Hannah

A one man Alan Bennett style taking heads theatre show and his acting is mesmerising.
It’s also wonderfully well written and I was blown away by it.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!