Tape Face is the creation of comedic genius New Zealand performer, Sam Wills.
He brings his critically acclaimed, award-winning show to Australia for the first time in more than ten years. . . In a special celebration of 20 years of a production which redefined physical comedy.
Tape Face has to be seen to be believed. He's a character with universal appeal who transcends the barriers of language and culture – and to reveal too much about what exactly he brings to the stage would be doing him a disservice. The less audiences know, the better.
Mime with noise, stand-up with no talking, drama with no acting. Here, we speak to Tape Face as he tours the country.
First things first. . . What can audiences expect from this show?
I’m beyond excited to be bringing a collection of my best routines that have been created over the last 20 years and returning to the original grand finale. Everything ranging from a bullet catch to a tiny mouse that sings to a routine that will make you question how you put your socks on.
It’s a celebration of 20 years of Tape Face. What, in that time, has been the most rewarding part of what you do?
I would say the most rewarding part of being Tape Face is the ability to take the show anywhere on the planet. The show is truly international and ironically speaks volumes.
And what would you say is the most important lesson you’ve learnt?
Don’t eat yellow snow.
Take us back to when you first started this. What inspired you to get it started?
I used to do another show where I spoke too much. It was a challenge initially but I saw that not a lot of people were doing silent comedy and it became a novelty that I enjoyed doing. Inspiration came from old Tim Burton films, silent movie stars and the films of Patrick Swayze.
You landed a long-term residency in Las Vegas. How did it feel to score that?!
It was really exciting. I’ve been in Vegas for eight years now and it’s a joy to be able to present the show six nights a week at MGM Grand.
You’ve had great success for an impressive amount of time so far. What advice do you have for an up-and-coming act like yours who wants to do everything they can to achieve their dream?
Make a plan and stick to it. Stay the course. Be like water. Never give up. Don’t eat yellow snow.
You’ve been to Australia before. What do you like about our crowds?
I love the Australian audiences as the comedy scene is really good there and audiences know what’s what. People can take a joke and know how to laugh at themselves and in general when people go out to a comedy show they are there for a good time.
If there’s one main message you’d like to deliver to audiences, what would it be?
Snow, yellow, avoid it.
Tape Face Australia 2026 Tour Dates
26 March-19 April – fortyfivedownstairs (Melbourne International Comedy Festival)
21 April – Brisbane Powerhouse (Brisbane Comedy Festival)
22 April – Darling Quarter Theatre (Sydney Comedy Festival)
23 April – The Joan (Sydney Comedy Festival)
24 April – Factory Theatre (Sydney Comedy Festival)
26 April – The Rechabite (Perth Comedy Festival)
