Performed as Bill and Edward (5)
I believe the answer is:
acted
'performed' is the definition.
(acting is a kind of performing)
'bill and edward' is the wordplay.
'bill' becomes 'ac' (short for account).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'edward' becomes 'ted' ().
'ac'+'ted'='ACTED'
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for acted that I've seen before include "Behaved like thespian" , "Played a role" , "Performed on stage" , "produced an effect" , "Behaved or played a part" .)