“Sublime physical lunacy – fight for a ticket”
- Time Out, London
Brief Description
Mime with noise, stand-up with no talking – drama with no acting. This show speaks for itself.
Combine the sheer, childlike absurdness of Vic Reeves with the deft, physical intonation of Hugh Laurie and the genius of Charlie Chaplin and you have Sam Wills: The Boy with Tape on His Face. This exciting one-man show from New Zealand is attracting attention across the globe, ‘The Boy With Tape on His Face’ has racked up awards for ‘Best Show’, ‘Best Show Concept’, ‘People’s Choice’, and a nomination for ‘Best Newcomer’ at Melbourne Comedy Festival.
BOOK HERE FOR 17th JUNE – UDDERBELLY ON SOUTHBANK, LONDON
Wills’ piercing blue eyes stare out over a rectangle of gaffer tape as he holds his audience spell bound, deftly unfolding the tangents of his delightful brain process, deliberately preparing each scene and finally breaking the suspense with each hilarious and unpredictable manoeuvre.
Drawing on a heritage that includes silent film, mime, magic, puppetry, Motown and the films of Patrick Swayze, The Boy With Tape On His Face is a pensive, curious soul approaching every object and audience member as a potential friend – or plaything. Shoes sing, empty dresses dance and electrical tape blossoms into roses. creating a world of possibilities where the only certainty is laughter.
Wordlessly conjuring the heart-rending poignancy of Buster Keaton, he mingles it with mischief and a piercing wit that leaves audiences enraptured.
“A truly magical experience”
Chortle.co.uk
“The Boy With Tape on His Face is utterly spectacular! Endlessly inventive, hysterically funny. Sublime physical lunacy – fight for a ticket.”
Tim Arthur, Time Out
“A deliciously skilful hour, some of the set pieces are simply joyous, sometimes mesmerising”
The Times 
“It’s a pleasure to see great vaudevillian routines reinvented and invested with real personality…. Wills is the last word in silent comedy”
The Guardian
“classic silent comedy with a twist, imagine Marel Marceau teaching you the moves to Blame it on the Boogie and you’re halfway to understanding the appeal of this compelling act”
The Independent
“It’s not often you can say you really didn’t want a show to end”
The Scotsman
“Wills is a slapstick virtuoso and can make almost everyone laugh”
The List
“Inventive wit is a joy to behold, It’s a tight, refreshing and very funny hour”
Fest
“Painfully funny, and so inventive that you can’t recall why you ever bothered going to see common-or-garden stand ups”
British Comedy Guide FOUR 1/2 Stars
“I didn’t want the hour to end”
The Arts Desk
“This Boy has to be seen to be believed. ”
The Advertiser 
“If you see one comedian…this is the one!”
Adelaide Sunday Mail
‘Wills demonstrates trust in his audience and an expansive imagination that soars into the absurd. Grab your ticket now! FOUR ½ Stars”
The AGE
“…exquisitely creative…proves you don’t need to utter a word to be incredibly funny.”
Time Out, London. June 2011
Accolades
- Billy T James Award 2005, NZ Comedy Festival
- Best Show Concept 2006, 2007 NZ Comedy Guild
- Best Show Auckland 2007 NZ Comedy Festival
- Best Show NZ 2005, 2006, 2007 NZ Comedy Guild
- Nominated Best Newcomer Melbourne Comedy Festival 2008
- Best Established Comedian, Adelaide Fringe 2009
- BankSA Support Award, Adelaide Fringe 2009
- Advertiser Award, Best Comedy, Adelaide Fringe 2009
- Nomination “Best Newcomer Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award 2010″
- Winner “Best Breakthrough Acts – Chortle Awards 2011″
- Winner “Best Local Show” New Zealand International Comedy Festival 2011
