Barnaby Slater
Barry Castagnola
Barry Cryer
Barry Dodds
Barry Hilton
Barry Humphries
Barry McDonald
Barry Took
Bay Citee Molars
Becky Love
Ben Bailey
Ben Davids
Ben Davis
Ben Elton
Ben Ennis
Ben Harland
Ben Hayman
Ben Hurley
Ben Miller
Ben Norris
Ben Schofield
Ben Target
Ben Travis
Ben Van Der Velde
Benjamin Crellin
Bennett Arron
Benny Boot
Benny Hill
Bernard Manning
Bernard O'Shea
Bernie Mac
Bethany Black
Bill Bailey
Bill Bruce
Bill Burr
Bill Cosby
Bill Woolland
Billy Connolly
Billy Kirkwood
Bo Burnham
Bob Doolally
Bob Hope
Bob Mills
Bob Monkhouse
Bob Slayer
Bobby Freeman
Bobby Mair
Boothby Graffoe
Boy With Tape On His Face
Bratchy
Brendan Burke
Brendan Dempsey
Brendan Naughton
Brendan Riley
Brendon Burns
Brennan Reece
Brett Goldstein
Brett Sharpe
Brian Damage & Krysstal
Brian Gittins
Brian Higgins
Bridget Christie
Brigitte Aphrodite
Bruce Devlin
Bruce Griffiths
Bruce Morton
Boy With Tape On His Face
Real name: Sam Wills
At The PromsRoyal Albert Hall August 2011 |
More Boy With Tape On His Face videos |
| At The Proms |
| BBC Comedy Presents 2011 |
| BBC Comedy On The Fringe 2011 |
| At Stand Up For Christchurch |
| At Knock2Bag |
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A former street artist, New Zealand's The Boy With Tape On His Face won the breakthrough act award at the Chortle Awards 2011 |
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Frisky And Mannish's Christmas Mess... age |
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![]() This could become as traditional part of Christmas as novelty socks or overcooked sprouts – but a lot more welcome – as, for the second year, Frisky and Mannish wrap their biting cabaret in tinsel and cover it in baubles for a joyous West End festive special. The campness of the season and the clichés of Christmas pop are an irresistible combination for both these smart, vibrant performers, and their theatre full of devotees. And my, what an audience – already up for fun and stirred into action with a silly party game orchestrated from the stage, this is as far cry from the uninterested drunken office parties that dominate so many gigs at this time of year. The crowd were always happy to join in the playful mood, singing choruses on cue or booing mere mention of Simon Cowell, as if he were a pantomime villain. They were rewarded handsomely, with F&M fostering a celebratory atmosphere with their new takes on old songs, courtesy of Frisky’s haughty attitude and powerful voice and Mannish’s snide asides and jaunty piano accompaniment. The dynamic is so well established that it can only take a well-timed pause or a slight change of emphasis for these original popbitches to expose a well-established hit to the ridicule it deserves. A couple of festive tracks made a welcome return from last year’s show: their role-reversal take on Baby It’s Cold Outside in which Mannish can’t get a sozzled Frisky out of his flat fast enough; and a version of Fairytale Of New York featuring their surprisingly complementary Lily Allen and Noel Coward – surely the most unlikely festive pairing since Bing Crosby and David Bowie – which collapses in to a barrage of Tourettic swearing. But the main thread of the show is to expose the lies and clichés of festive favourites from A Spaceman Came Travelling to Do They Know It’s Christmas. And after sensibly ditching the MC of last year so they can host their own shindig, they stamp their own personality over the night, while allowing their well-chosen band of guests to shine just (well, almost) as brightly. Cheeky burlesque dancers Folly Mixtures added to the tongue-in-cheek showbiz glamour, while Abi Collins adopted the persona of a Russian diva, mixing a few cheesy old comedy lines with her hula-hoop routine, not one of the cabaret arts I particularly have much time for, but she stamped her personality on to it. Abandoman – who triumphed over our hosts in the Hackney Empire new act final earlier this year – impressed with their improvised raps musical about two members of the audience: a musician called Andrew playing hookey from Chicago down the road, and Jessica, his love interest whose enjoyably overactive imagination fed jolly Rob Broderick’s witty ad-libbed lyrics. F&M joined them for the third act, allowing Lady Frisky to demonstrate an equally quick-witted and eloquent gift for improv – another string to their already over-endowed bow. Hit of the night was surely The Boy With Tape On His Face, reinventing audience participation as, without saying a word, he encouraged reluctant volunteers to cast aside any reservations and take part in his charming clowning, free from any risk of humiliation. Clever use of music – most notably the soundtrack to Amélie – and expert mime skills make this a delightful set, as he patiently establishes one set piece after another, only to reveal an unexpected visual payoff to each. He could give street entertaining a good name. Amid all the high jinks low-energy comic Miles Jupp might have seemed an incongruous choice, not least to himself. But the parade of rambunctious cabaret that preceded him was perfect counterpoint to his posh-boy persona; infinitely privileged but at an utter loss when it comes to coping with the real world. This shtick allows for both high-status comedy as he looks down on people in general – and Northerners in particular – as well as low-status stuff at his own ineffective faffing when out of his comfort zone, as he inevitably is. It was a more sedate – and slightly over-long – segment, but Jupp held the attention, and he has both wonderful lines and a beautiful way of saying apparently trivial ones. Somehow a casual phrase such as: ‘I toyed with the idea of a jacket’ is hilarious in his privileged brogue. And after that an all-singing all-dancing finale involving several of the preceding acts ensured the night most definitely brought tidings of great joy. Frisky & Mannish certainly have the X(mas) Factor. |
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| Date of live review: Tuesday 21st Dec, '10 | |
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Review by Steve Bennett |
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Show - Melbourne 2008 - | |
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The Boy With Tape On His Face is amazing, It's magical, Simply the best silent comedy act I have ever seen! Kozo Komatsubara, January 2011 |
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Sam Wills is one of the funnest guys I have seen in a long time. To do a show with no verbal dialogue takes a lot of skills & he has hit the nail on the head with this show. Totally reccommend it to everyone! Jimmy James, January 2011 |
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Sam Wills' Boy with Tape remains the single most heartbreakingly charming show I've ever seen. This is sheer unadulterated joy in distilled purity. Andre King, January 2011 |
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This guy is totally hilarious! Anna, January 2011 |
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You got to watch this guy, outstanding. Mario Morris, January 2011 |
Where can I see Boy With Tape On His Face next?
Recommended| 21:00 - Friday 25th May, '12 | |
| Venue: | Udderbelly South Bank |
| Prices: | £15 (£14 concs) |
| Comics: | Boy With Tape On His Face |
| 19:30 - Friday 1st Jun, '12 | |
| Venue: | Kings Lynn Arts Centre |
| Prices: | £12 (£10 concs) |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face [2011] |
Recommended| 21:00~22:00 - Friday 8th Jun, '12 | |
| Venue: | Udderbelly South Bank |
| Prices: | £15.50 (£14 concs) |
| Comics: | Boy With Tape On His Face |
| 21:00~22:00 - Friday 29th Jun, '12 | |
| Venue: | Udderbelly South Bank |
| Prices: | £15.50 (£14 concs) |
| Comics: | Boy With Tape On His Face |
| 19:30 - Saturday 21st Jul, '12 | |
| Venue: | Coventry Warwick Arts Centre |
| Prices: | £12 (£10 concs) |
| Comics: | Boy With Tape On His Face |
| 21:40~22:40 - Thursday 2nd Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Friday 3rd Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Saturday 4th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Sunday 5th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Monday 6th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Tuesday 7th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Wednesday 8th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Thursday 9th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Friday 10th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Saturday 11th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Sunday 12th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Monday 13th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Wednesday 15th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Thursday 16th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Friday 17th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Saturday 18th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Sunday 19th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Monday 20th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Tuesday 21st Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Wednesday 22nd Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Thursday 23rd Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Friday 24th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Saturday 25th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 21:40~22:40 - Sunday 26th Aug, '12 | |
| Venue: | Pleasance Courtyard |
| Prices: | Call for prices |
| Show: | The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape |
| 20:00 - Sunday 14th Oct, '12 | |
| Venue: | Harrogate Theatre |
| Prices: | £14 (£12 concs) |
| Comics: | Boy With Tape On His Face |

Gag Reflex Management
34 Northbank Gardens
Manchester
M19 1BE
contact by email
Office: 0161 432 9836
Mobile: 07974 685 267
The Boy With Tape On His Face [Edinburgh 2010]
Edinburgh Fringe 2011
The Boy With Tape On His Face [2011]
Edinburgh Fringe 2012
The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Melbourne 2008
Boy With Tape On His Face

