The Skinny on... Mr Chonkers

The absurd and immense Mr Chonkers was one of our comedy team's highlights of the Edinburgh Fringe – so we asked creator John Norris to fill out our Q&A

Article by John Norris | 28 Nov 2022
  • Mr Chonkers

What’s your favourite place to visit and why?
Palmdale, California, USA. Home of the pop vocal group The Doodletown Pipers. 

What's your favourite food and why?
Mac and cheese. This is an American dish that features a pasta shape that we like to call 'macaroni' and a product from old milk we like to call 'cheese'. I like it because it tastes good.

Favourite colour and why?
Ice blue. The eye color of Jerry Weintraub, co-founder of The Doodletown Pipers.

Who was your hero growing up?
Bob 'Big Bob' Anderson of The Doodletown Pipers.

Whose work inspires you now?
The CIA.

What three people would you invite to your dinner party and what are you cooking?
Emmitt Cash, Jim Gilstrap, and Taffy Anderson (three key members of The Doodletown Pipers). If I were in charge of making dinner then I’d have to say I’d whip up a pot of my world famous Beef Water!

What’s your all time favourite album?
Here Come The Doodletown Pipers by The Doodletown Pipers

What’s the worst film you’ve ever seen?
Help! by The Beatles. The film is actually alright but I really hate what those longhairs did to the Pipers.

What book would you take to a desert island?
Probably How to Get Off Of a Desert Island by Jacko Bingbong. Ha Ha Ha… That was just a little joke. Not a real book I don’t think. And it’s not a real author. Just thought of a silly name and then wrote it down. I’d probably bring 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James.

Who’s the worst? 
Doodletown Piper? I mean, the answer has to be Richard 'Little Rickie' Doran. No one else comes close. Despicable man.

When did you last cry?
I am crying as I write this. Actually, no, I am technically 'sobbing.'

What are you most scared of?
I am most scared of letting an audience down. I never want people to show up feeling like they’re not getting a good show… I am fully prepared to give my all every time I step out on stage. For example: during the Fringe I had a show where I only had two audience members turn up. I later found out they were an elderly Latvian couple on vacation. Though this was a humble crowd, I persevered and gave them the show of a lifetime! Blood! Sweat! Tears!

And while this confused couple stared at me, realising far too late that they were supposed to be in the venue across the street, I raged into that dark theatre with all the passion and props at my disposal. When these two severely frightened patrons clamoured over the rows of seats to the door (which I had locked) I knew that I did my best. Whether this is 'good' or not… Well… That’s for the authorities to decide. The trial is due to start in early 2023.

When did you last vomit and why?
Two hours ago. Got overwhelmed thinking about a reunion of The Doodletown Pipers.

Tell us a secret?
I still have all of my baby teeth.

Which celebrity could you take in a fight?
The entire Royal family.

If you could be reincarnated as an animal, which animal would it be?
Why, the humble capybara, of course!


Mr Chonkers by John Norris, Monkey Barrel Comedy, Edinburgh, 6 Dec, 8pm, £10