New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center welcomes Tape Face, one of the most original theatrical comedic performers to come along in a generation, on Tuesday, October 10 at 7:00pm. After making waves in the United Kingdom and his native New Zealand, he came to America’s attention on the eleventh season of America’s Got Talent, where his unique blend of prop comedy and vaudeville took him to the finals. His hilarious, wordless performance prompted AGT judge Simon Cowell to proclaim that Tape Face is “a modern Charlie Chaplin.” Tickets for Tape Face range from $25-$35 and can be purchased by calling 508-994-2900, online at www.zeiterion.org, or at the Zeiterion Box Office at 684 Purchase Street in New Bedford. Group sales for select shows are available for 10 tickets or more, which can be purchased by calling 508-997-5664 x123.
Taking to the stage with a piece of gaffer tape across his mouth, Tape Face, whose real name is Sam Wills, brings silent comedy into the 21st century. His act, which frequently involves members of the audience, makes use of everything from plungers to oven gloves to create bizarre and strangely beautiful routines. During his time on America’s Got Talent, he dueled against an audience member with staple guns and balloons, and brought judge Heidi Klum up on stage to recreate the pottery scene from Ghost with some silly putty. The Age described his act as “…astonishingly innovative comedy – never has a comedian had so much success with audience participation. Surreal, charming and absurd.”
Though Wills didn’t make it into the Top 5 on AGT, he was a fan favorite who progressed all the way to the finals of the television competition. His performance — with his trademark tape, black-rimmed eyes and spiky hair —has reached viral status at over 28 million views on YouTube. While his act challenges description, Broadway World UK summed it up as “if Charlie Chaplin and Edgar Allan Poe wrote a show: mad, macabre and magical.”
Hailing from Canterbury, New Zealand. Wills started his performing career as a busker in Christchurch and won the Press People’s Choice Award at the World Buskers Festival in 2008. He used the prize money to develop his hit show “The Boy with Tape on his Face,” which sold out around the world. Wills has packed theaters in Britain, enjoyed several sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, and performed at the Royal Albert Hall. His many awards and nominations include Adelaide Fringe Awards for “Best Comedy” and “Pick of the Fringe.”
The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide New Bedford and the region with performing arts programming of excellence that inspires, educates, engages and entertains. Tickets are available for purchase at www.zeiterion.org, by calling 508-994-2900, or in person at the box office at 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, Mass. Zeiterion Box Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and two hours before each performance.
Tape Face on America’s Got Talent: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlaWGd1cUms
Tape Face Web Site: http://tapeface.tv/
Tape Face Channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj_KCl-kSdnpQ2Q-k6JOT9g
