Tape Face – New Zealand’s most famous clown
New Zealander clown, prop comic, and mime artist Sam Wills shot to fame in the ‘00s under the guise of The Boy with Tape on his Face. Check out the range of Tape Face tickets on offer to buy or sell at StubHub.
Formerly The Boy with Tape on His Face
Born in New Zealand in 1978, Sam Wills began training as a clown in his early teens and later studied New Circus at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. Inspired by the likes of the Tokyo Shock Boys and the Jim Rose Circus, he soon began to attract attention for his blend of circus skills and shock comedy, winning the Pulp Comedy show’s Best New Face Award in 2001. Performing under the name of The Boy with Tape on His Face, Wills went on to support ventriloquist David Strassman, showcase his act in front of New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, and appear at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Royal Variety Performance. His international profile increased even further when he made the final stages of America’s Got Talent in 2016, by which point he’d shortened his stage name to Tape Face. He subsequently landed a residency at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino and returned to the US talent show for its Champions spin-off in 2019. You can both buy and sell Tape Face tickets on StubHub.
A masterclass in silent comedy
As his distinctive stage name suggests, Wills performs with tape covering his mouth, and he rarely gives interviews to maintain the illusion. But there’s much more to his act than his striking appearance, which also includes a black and white stripy jumper and kohl eye makeup. The New Zealander offers a masterclass in silent comedy, using a whole range of mime techniques and cleverly chosen props ranging from toilet seats to Nerf guns to draw just as many laughs as the funniest traditional stand-up. Wills also typically invites several audience members to join in with all the madcap fun and his natural sense of imagination and playfulness often proves to be infectious. Also making use of inspired lighting and music to engage the crowd even more, Tape Face’s fun-packed shows allow everyone to be a big kid again. If you haven’t yet experienced one of New Zealand’s most distinctive comic exports in his element, then take a look at the various Tape Face tickets available on StubHub. You can also purchase tickets for other New Zealand comedy acts such as Flight of the Conchords and Rhys Darby.
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