Comic Details

Boy With Tape On His Face

Real name: Sam Wills

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Videos

At Chortle Fast Fringe 2012

Extract from his Edinburgh show


More Boy With Tape On His Face videos

At Chortle Fast Fringe 2012
Chortle Fast Fringe
A Fistful Of Balloons
At The Proms
BBC Comedy Presents 2011
BBC Comedy On The Fringe 2011
At Knock2Bag
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Biography

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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Reviews

The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Live Review
Pleasance Courtyard

 rated 5/5

For all the cleverness and mental stimulation of comedy,  it’s all an artifice. No sitcom can be as funny as sharing a in-joke with your mates; no Edinburgh show can hope to transport you back to the unfettered glee of being a child, revelling in the possibilities of your imagination.

No Edinburgh show, that is, except The Boy With Tape On His Face – a sparkling celebration of the joy of play. With inventiveness, wit and a refreshingly uncynical approach, New Zealander Sam Wills regresses the entire audience back to the happiest days of their lives, without saying a word. It is impossible not to leave this merrily uplifting show without a cheer in your heart.

Back in the playground, a twig might have doubled for a laser death ray… here Tapeface raids Poundland to fashion tape measures, novelty chattering teeth, shower attachments and oven mitts into whatever his fertile mind wants them to be.

But he’s also scaled up the relatively intimate act to fill the 700-seater Pleasance Grand. There’s often consternation that comics playing such big venues are betraying the spirit of the Fringe, but if anyone has earned it The Boy has, building up this original act from a street show, up  to this stunning fun-fest. His homemade props no longer fit in his trademark satchel, but litter the stage and beyond.

There’s something about his mute, innocent presence that brings out the best in people, and everyone plays along with the imaginative games, even though it’s never immediately clear what he is asking of the volunteers he selects. One ‘victim’ tonight was a little bit cheeky with our benevolent leader, and the remonstration he received, entirely in the form of a pointed stare, was more withering that the harshest expletive-riddled heckle put-down. He was dispatched back to his seat well aware he’d let himself down.

The co-stars who did pass muster to remain on stage tend to be laden with household objects, looking baffled until that lightbulb moment when it’s clear what’s going on – whether it be recreating Hollywood blockbusters on a budget or engaging in some pointless game that engenders the true spirit of friendly competition more than any corporate-driven Olympics.

Some of the scenes have a ‘will they or won’t they’ tension akin to watching a juggler – or Tim Vine’s sublimely silly ‘pen behind the ear’ trick. The Boy With Tape On His Face is such a charismatic manipulator of the audience that it seems perfectly reasonable that 700 people become fully invested in precisely where a ping-pong ball lands. When it hits the target, there’s mass elation that sweeps all up in its wake.

He occasionally mixes things up with a duff magic trick or a surprising balancing feat featuring four members of the audience – but mainly he sticks to the winning formula. And it’s family-friendly, too, the odd visual cock gag aside, and that’s fairly childish, too, in the best possible way.

His power is that the whole audience become immersed in this world of fun, with every sketch ending on a high, with the simple aim of  making the audience feel happy. The cumulative effect – and impressively large-scale show-stopper – creates a euphoric rush of joy.

How best to describe Wills’ incredible, uplifting talent? It’s beyond words.

Date of live review: Saturday 4th Aug, '12
Review by Steve Bennett
Frisky And Mannish's Christmas Mess... age
Frisky And Mannish's Christmas Mess... age

Tuesday 21st Dec, '10- Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue
Boy With Tape On His Face
Boy With Tape On His Face

Show - Melbourne 2008 -
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Comments

Not my cup of tea, very talented guy but just how people find this funny I'll never know. Takes all sorts I suppose.

annonymous, March 2013


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


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


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


This guy is totally hilarious!

Anna, January 2011


You got to watch this guy, outstanding.

Mario Morris, January 2011




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News
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Where can I see Boy With Tape On His Face next?

Where can I see Boy With Tape On His Face next?

Recommended
20:00 - Saturday 25th May, '13
Venue: Taunton Brewhouse Theatre
Prices: £12
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:30 - Sunday 9th Jun, '13
Venue: Coventry Warwick Arts Centre
Prices: £14.50 (£12.50 concs)
Info: Support: Phil Buckley
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
20:00 - Friday 14th Jun, '13
Venue: Cirencester Sundial Theatre
Prices: £15
Comics:
Info:
Best of the Chortle Awards Tour
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Tuesday 25th Jun, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Wednesday 26th Jun, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Thursday 27th Jun, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Friday 28th Jun, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
18:00 - Saturday 29th Jun, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 18:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
18:00 - Sunday 30th Jun, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 18:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Tuesday 2nd Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Wednesday 3rd Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Thursday 4th Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Friday 5th Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
18:00 - Saturday 6th Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 18:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
18:00 - Sunday 7th Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 18:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Tuesday 9th Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Wednesday 10th Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Thursday 11th Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:00 - Friday 12th Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 19:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
18:00 - Saturday 13th Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 18:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
18:00 - Sunday 14th Jul, '13
Venue: Udderbelly South Bank
Prices: £14.40 to £21.50
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
Show starts: 18:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:30 - Friday 26th Jul, '13
Venue: Bluewater Glow
Prices: £22.50 to £33.50
Comics:
Info:
Plus: Neil Fitzmaurice
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
21:40~22:40 - Saturday 3rd Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Sunday 4th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Monday 5th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Tuesday 6th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Wednesday 7th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Thursday 8th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Friday 9th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Saturday 10th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Sunday 11th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
13:20~14:35 - Monday 12th Aug, '13
Venue: EICC
Prices: £20
Show: The Big Comedy Gala in Aid of Macmillan Cancer Support [2013]
Show starts: 13:20
21:40~22:40 - Wednesday 14th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Thursday 15th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Friday 16th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Saturday 17th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Sunday 18th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Monday 19th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Tuesday 20th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Wednesday 21st Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Thursday 22nd Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Friday 23rd Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
21:40~22:40 - Saturday 24th Aug, '13
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Prices: £13.50 (£11)
Show: The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape [2013]
Show starts: 21:40
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Lee Martin
Gag Reflex Management
Red 16,
The Sharp Project
Thorp Road
Manchester
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contact by email
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