Comedian Twayna Mayne has been performing since 2010 and made it on to various ‘ones to watch’ lists and competition finals before bringing her highly anticipated debut hour, Black Girl, to this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We talked to Twayna about her show, style and comedy writing ambitions…
Funny Women: Tell us about your show Black Girl.
Twayna Mayne: It’s about growing up black and female in Britain where all the role models are American, it’s about finding out who you are when you’re adopted and trying find an identity through music and videos. It’s also about holidaying in North Devon when you’re not white.
FW: This is your Edinburgh debut, what are you most looking forward to about the Fringe Festival?
TM: I’ve been before, last year I was part of AAA Stand Up. This year I’m back to do my debut hour and I am looking forward to people coming to see it, for the audience to like it and for me to get through the long run mentally intact. I also wouldn’t mind seeing a few things while I’m up there too, Hannah Gadsby is the only name on my go-see list so far.
FW: What inspired you to get into comedy?
TM: I was more interested in writing comedy for TV and radio and sort of got in to performing comedy by accident. I completed a stand up comedy course seven years ago and am still doing comedy now. I’m slowly getting into the writing side of things too which is making all the gigging worthwhile.
FW: How would you describe your comedy style?
TM: It’s a mixture of absurd and truth and all in a very deadpan and dry way. I deliver everything as if it was truth and it’s up to the audience to decide what they want to believe.
FW: Who are your favourite funny women?
TM: French and Saunders, Tig Notaro, Gilda Radner and Madeline Kahn are a few of my favourite funny women.
Twayna Mayne’s show Black Girl will be at The Pleasance Courtyard, This, for the month of August as part of Edinburgh Festival for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
