Globally acclaimed comedian ‘Tape Face’ aka Sam Wills will perform in our country. Ahead of the India tour, the comedian, regarded as the clown from New Zealand, got candid with The Pioneer’s Shikha Duggal about prospects of India tour, how comedy happens to him and more.
Sam Wills, the famous prop comic, busker, and clown from New Zealand, is embarking on his first ever visit to our country, and we cherish his presence. Also known as “the boy with tape on his face,” he will be performing silent comedy. Interesting on another level! Also featured in America’s Got Talent is the guy in striped sweatshirts who mimes his way through the challenges of daily life.
In an exclusive conversation with us, he shared, “The atmosphere whenever I perform is eclectic and exciting. I enjoy surprising my audiences with new tricks! I think I have worked at the show long enough to know what works and what doesn’t for me, and I have definitely built a fan base over the years. My show is truly international and can be presented to any audience on the planet, and they all will have a good time.”
Without uttering a word, he leaves the audience in splits. We are amused! And the professionally trained crown said, “I started out performing as a child magician and in 2016 found myself on the stage of America’s Got Talent. My journey has been challenging, but eventful and fulfilling. I never stop learning and am always on the lookout for new and meaningful ways. I never intended to take silent comedy as seriously as it is today, and I go as silly as I can when on stage. My life is always on the move; once every five years, I get to take a break and go on vacation for myself. It always surprises me when I travel without my props! (he laughed).”
“Tape Face” brings a collection of inanimate objects to vivid life. “I have done all sorts of different styles of comedy, ranging from improv to stand-up. Very soon, I realised that stand-up with no talking was my calling! Knowing how to read and engage a crowd, creating a sense of spectacle and surprise using nothing but my performance skills, and with brief snatches of music and a succession of homemade contraptions, people are immediately intrigued as to how I can entertain them for so long without saying anything.”
Plunging his fans into this fictional universe, Sam, who also taught juggling for two years, said, “I tend not to believe in any hype. I am just doing what I do best. I like focusing on improving my performances, and although compliments are always welcome, I don’t pay much attention to them and try to only concentrate on making my audiences laugh with my acts.”
The tape faces loved talkative comedians, and those are Jimmy Carry and Joey Delaware, and we’re about to get our first dose of a hilarious, quirky, and inventive show. “Once I started going down the silent comedy road, I discovered a whole new side of comedy sight gags. The language of comedy is universal. If you stay true to who you are as a comedian, people will love you. Stop second-guessing yourself and just enjoy the journey,” he shared.
Lost for words because he’s bringing Las Vegas to India, he mentioned, “I can’t wait to be in India! I have been looking forward to coming to the country for some time now, and to finally get the opportunity, it’s amazing. I am looking forward to interacting with my Indian fans and performing a show for them on my first-ever multi-city tour. This is also going to be my first ever visit to this beautiful country, and I am very excited to try the Indian food that I have heard so much about.”
The modern-day silent comic star also said, “The most entertaining part of my show is the audience interaction. I call someone to participate with me on the stage, supported by the rest of the crowd. My performance is unrestrained by language barriers, and anyone who comes on stage will feel special. I am sure people will be interactive and everything will go as per my plan. The goal is to make the show a super-duper success that has the audience entertained.”
When Simon Cowell pinned him as the modern Charlie Chaplin, there was no turning back for him from then on: “I am just doing what I do; I tend not to believe in way too much buzz like that. Although it’s such a huge honour, I don’t pay much attention to these comparisons and try to only concentrate on keeping my audiences entertained and improving my performances.”
