Karl Minns and Owen Evans are Norfolk favourite comedy duo who have been sharing jokes, songs, sketches and monologues about Nelson’s County for over 25 years! We went down memory lane with the pair to discuss what they love about the county.
What is your best Norfolk memory?
Karl: I associate Norfolk with discovering theatre and performance, so I think it would have to be the early days: playing the Whiffler Theatre in ‘96 with Crude Apache: the excitement, a late summer sun starting to set, being young and a gritold crowd. Realising this is what I wanted to do for a living.
Owen: Sitting with Shrimp Davies on Cromer sea-front whilst he told me the first-hand accounts of all the famous rescues he took part in. I would smuggle beer to him from our pub and he would buy me ice cream and tell me stories.
What is your favourite landmark?
Karl: Elvedon War Memorial – having to commute between London and Norwich a lot over the last 15 years, it was always a signifier that I was home, albeit still 45 minutes from my actual bloody destination.
Owen: Cromer Pier (there’s a theme developing here…)
Best day out in Norfolk?
Karl: I haven’t done it for a fair while, but a group of friends, a pub then a Norwich home match is a pleasing way to kill a Saturday and your liver.
Owen: A day on the beach in Cromer . . . Ahem!
Best place to eat?
Karl: Any beachy place that sells fresh seafood. I like my fish…
Owen: Used to be Harrisons in Cromer, now … The North Sea Coffee Company (they do the Best homemade cakes!) or the Rocket House (Cromer) if I want something more substantial.
We have some lovely beaches here. What is your favourite?
Karl: I grew up in Great Yarmouth, but never liked beaches till very recently. Wells is very beautiful. You can look at the beach huts for only £10 an hour, too.
Owen: Cromer . . . Of course!
What shop would you recommend?
Karl: Thorns. The smell of an ironmongers is hugely calming and reassuring. If you’re anxious or depressed, go in and have a good sniff. Before the police arrive.
Owen: Bookbugs and Dragon Tales and any second-hand bookshop I come across.
What is Norfolk’s Best Export?
Karl: Suspicion. Where would we be without it? But then again, why do you want to know?
Owen: Easy! Cromer Crab
The Nimmo Twins are at Norwich Theatre Playhouse with Holt? We Went There between 26 Jul – 13 Aug.
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