Sam Wills, a prop comedian originally from New Zealand, is visiting India for the first time. Wills, who goes by the name Tape Face, “can’t wait” to be in the country, saying: “I’ve been looking forward to coming to India for a while and to finally get the chance is fantastic. This is my first ever trip to this vibrant country. I’m looking forward to interacting with my Indian fans, trying the food I’ve heard so much about and performing for them, which I’m very proud of, as part of my ongoing world tour.”
Although he states that this is his first visit to the country, he also admits that he has not done much research about India. “I was terrible at school so I didn’t do a lot of homework,” he jokes, explaining further: “I rely a lot on my background as a performer and prop artist, my knowledge of how to read and engage a crowd to create a sense of spectacle and surprise using only of my acting skills, short snippets of music and a number of homemade items. I haven’t spent much time researching the Indian audience. My show is truly international and can be presented to any audience on the planet and everyone will have a good time. The language of comedy is universal and people immediately wonder how I can entertain them for so long without saying a single word.”
Like his stage name, Wills, 44, tapes his mouth shut and makes his art form silent, making him one of the few comedians who does silent comedy. “Silent comedy seemed to be on the wane, but ironically, it’s slowly making a comeback. Through simple, clever and charming humor, it is important to create accessible and entertaining shows that will entertain the whole family. Tape Face is a character with universal appeal, multi-layered and hilarious. That’s what connects easily with the audience, transcending the barriers of language and culture,” he explains, saying that “his uniqueness has managed to win over (him) many viewers without saying a single word.
Wills, who was a finalist on season 11 of America’s Got Talent, is often called a modern-day Charlie Chaplin. Ask him if this is a huge responsibility for him to carry on, and he says: “I tend not to believe the hype. I just do what I do best. I like to focus on improving my performances and although it’s a great compliment, I don’t pay too much attention to these comparisons and just try to focus on making my audience laugh with my actions.”
Catch it Live (Pune edition only)
What: Tape Face LIVE!
When: January 25
Where: Liberty Square, Phoenix Marketcity, Viman Nagar
Time: 20:00
