The Boy With Tape On His Face

A former circus and street performer in his native New Zealand, Sam Wills began performing as the unique silent stand up, The Boy With Tape On His Face in 2008. A runaway success in the Antipodes, racking up multiple award winning performances, including ‘Best Show’, ‘Best Show Concept’, ‘People’s Choice’, and a nomination for ‘Best Newcomer’ at Melbourne Comedy Festival.

Now living in the UK, ‘The Boy’ brought his magical brand of physical comedy and unbelievable feats of the imagination to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2010, where the show was an unmitigated debut success, receiving a Foster’s Award nomination for Best Newcomer. 2011’s Fringe show brought a bigger venue and a sold out run, as the The Boy’s universal appeal began to spread to previously uncharted territory. Following a UK tour of his seminal show, Wills returned to Edinburgh with new physical japery in the form of ‘More Tape’. Selling out the 750-seater Pleasance Grand on a nightly basis, it was clear to see that The Boy was having the show of the Fringe. His appeal having transcended boundaries of age, language and culture, it was no surprise to see him receive the Fosters Panel Award and eleven 5 star reviews.

“A glorious act of the imagination, an expression of pure playfulness….This boy is going places!” The Times

The Boy With Tape On His Face is a character with universal appeal. Delightful, wry, many-layered and hilarious, Wills accesses an inner child in us all that must be fed. Through simple, clever and charming humour aimed at satisfying that hunger, The Boy has created one of the most accessible and enjoyable shows the world has ever seen.

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, Wills creates a world of possibilities where the only certainty is laughter.

With a UK theatre tour that regularly sells out 300+ seats, a BBC pilot already under his belt and a West End run behind him the future is looking like an exciting place to be for The Boy.

2013 – Chortle Best Variety Act

2012 – Fosters Panel Award

2011 – Chortle Breakthrough Act

2010 – Nominated Fosters Best Newcomer Award

2010 – NZ comedy Guild Kevin Smith Artistic Achievement Award

2009 – Adelaide Fringe Advertisers Award

2009 – Adelaide Fringe Comedy Award

2009 – Adelaide Fringe Banksa Support Award

2008 – Nominated Melbourne Comedy Festival Best Newcomer

2009 – Nominated Groggy Squirrel Critics Award

2008 – Groggy Squirrel Reader’s Award

2008 – People’s Choice World Busker’s Festival