After Life is the perfect show
Tape Face picks his comedy favourites
Physical comedian Sam Wills is back at the Edinburgh Fringe celebrating 20 years of his mime-based Tape Face show, back at the festival where it all took off. Here he picks his Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites.
Rowan Atkinson’s invisible drums
Phenomenal! Rowan Atkinson is just brilliant in this sketch. As a kid I was woken up late at night to watch Mr Bean episodes and he was a huge influence on my career. So simple and visually pleasing.
Steven Banks home entertainment system
A beautiful hour of chaotic distraction. This show really opened my eyes to storytelling and how a one man show can really hold the attention. Steven Banks is a master at his craft and his Elvis impression is on point
Buster Keaton hidden camera show
I’ve always loved Buster! This clip is from a hidden camera show later in his years and it really shows his subtle takes on things. Nothing over the top but the mess builds throughout the whole gag, utterly brilliant
After Life
In my opinion it’s simply a perfect show. To take the topic of death and continually make perfect gags about it all is fantastic. I’ve always been a fan of Ricky Gervais and consider this to be his best work.
Amazing Jonathan
Rest in peace to such a powerhouse of entertainment. AJ was a huge influence on my early career with his one of a kinda magic style. His ability to mix stand up with magic was next to none. It was my first time seeing a magician use everyday objects as props and rinsing them for every comedy drop.
Special shout out to his side kick Psychic Tanya for being possibly the best in the business.
Reuben Solo: Please Clap
I always feel with lists like these it’s easy to just pick big hits etc but it’s always nice when you stumble across someone new that really tickles you.
Reuben made his way through my algorithm and lead me to watch his America’s Got Talent audition that didn’t go well but I hunted out his YouTube special and wasn’t disappointed.
His show was a nicely paced hour where he really got to play. It’s a great example of four judges getting it so wrong and Reuben showing exactly what he’s made of.. comedy gold.
• Tape Face: 20 is on at Pleasance Courtyard at 7.30pm from tonight until August 10.
Published: 30 Jul 2025
