Tape Face: 20 comedy review – The silent hero returns
Sam Wills celebrates two decades of inventive, non-verbal comedy with a joyful show
Bring your clown babies to the Garden for blessings, Adelaide, because daddy’s home and he has very definitely come to play. When someone tells you they don’t like clowning, send them to Tape Face 20: this new show celebrates 20 years of completely non-verbal mime, clown, silliness and the best silent crowd work you’ll ever see. It still feels fresh, it still feels interesting and, best of all, it’s still as funny as the very first day Sam Wills pulled on the striped shirt, trowelled on the eyeliner and stuck a bit of masking tape over his mouth. It’s inventive, good-hearted and a delight to watch.
Adelaide is where it all started for Tape Face and there’s so much affection in the audience for the character that people are practically climbing over each other to go up on stage; when they get there they’re putty in his expressive hands. It feels like a special moment for everyone’s inner child; a final bit with a tennis ball is basically childish glee writ large as we come together to forget our problems for one special hour. Adelaide, your boy is back and he’s as brilliant and beautiful as ever.
Tape Face 20 continues at Umbrella Revolution at the Garden of Unearthly Delights until March 22; picture: Matt Crockett.