Combine the sheer, childlike absurdism of Vic Reeves with the deft, physical intonation of Hugh Laurie and you have “Sam Wills”:comic, The Boy with Tape on His Face. These examples are also apt given that (like Messrs. Reeves and Laurie) Sam Wills’ most striking features are his piercing blue eyes, which stare out over a rectangle of heavy duty, black tape, covering his mouth and wrapping around his cheeks.
This is a show without words (give or take). Loosely categorised, it falls into the genre of clowning, but you will see no juggling, banana skins or acrobatics here. In fact there is very little in this show which is clearly identifiable as conventional clowning. Instead it’s more like some form of cerebral play.
Using backing music and home made props Sam creates a series of visual and conceptual skits, which are strikingly original and an absolute delight to watch. He holds the audience spellbound as he meticulously unfolds yet another unique tangent of his own peculiar brain process. His determination to get things right is almost belligerent at times but he maintains the rapt attention of the audience throughout, creating greater tension as time wears, thereby creating a larger eruption of relief at the result. Not every gag pays off, with a repeated gag about certain American pop singers losing its bite fairly quickly. However, the vast majority of his material works beautifully, with the audience sharing in the joy of his ultimate successes when they come…when you get that payoff, oh my!
There is a lot of audience participation in this show (and don’t think that sitting down the back will save you). Sam proves uniquely skilled at enticing otherwise reluctant audience members on stage, displaying his ever present skill of wordless communication. It is with astonishment that one watches a once shy audience member do extraordinary things on stage with no greater enticement than visual and musical prompts.
Although the technical cues are as good as you could expect from any production of this size, a show such as this which depends on split second timing would benefit from an opportunity to be shown in a venue which could cater for much higher production values. However, this is just quibbling. Ultimately The Boy With Tape on His Face is a superb showcase of the wonderfully funny and delightful mind of Sam Wills.
Visit the Comedy@Trades Hall website for bookings and further details