‘The Boy With Tape On His Face’ Review (LEEDS, UK)

WHAT: Comedy (Mime)

WHERE: Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre (map)

WHEN: 9th March, 12

WEBSITE: theatreleeds.com; www.theboywithtapeonhisface.com

MY STORY IN A NUTSHELL:

• Katie Mulgrew was a brilliant support act as she’s cute, bubbly, and potty-mouthed. She also didn’t dwell on the fact that she’s a female comedian, which made me like her even more.
• The Boy – i.e. Sam Wills – came onstage gagged, and started the show by pulling tricks out of his shoulder bag to get the laughs going. He then swooped down on his audience to pick his victims/volunteers.
• Everyone who got onstage were really good sports, which made it a fantastic evening.
• The Boy will be touring the world but is returning to Leeds on Saturday 17th to grace The Wet Spot cabaret night at The Wardrobe – don’t miss it!
• My interview with the Boy will be coming soon – so check back if you want to hear him speak!

MY FULL STORY [edited version first published on digyorkshire.com on 12th Mar, 12]: With the Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre filled to the brim as we awaited The Boy With Tape On His Face, a girl with no tape on her face strode onstage. Surely there’s a mistake?

But Katie Mulgrew was a brilliant support act to open the evening with. She is a cute, bubbly girl with a bit of a potty mouth – and who doesn’t love that? Her lighthearted jokes interjected with plenty of ‘Aw smashin’! That’s lovely!’ went down well with the crowd.

I also very much appreciated the fact that she did not make a big deal out of being a girl. Female comedians need to stop feeling like they need to reassert that. We know that you’re a woman, stop treating us like we’re blind and get over it. Anyway, Katie didn’t do that, which made me like her even more.

After an interval the lights dimmed again, and a voice warned us that this show involves a lot of audience participation. ‘If you get picked to go onstage, do play along’ she said. ‘Or you’ll look like a cock.’

'Whatcha lookin' at?!' - The Boy With Tape On His Face. Photo from http://www.theboywithtapeonhisface.com.

When The Boy – i.e. Sam Wills – came on gagged by a black piece of duct tape, the first thing he did was to rummage through his shoulder bag of magic, donned a teacup hat, and did a few tricks to get the laughs going. He didn’t need to try very hard – we were already sold.

But then he started to make his way into the audience. You can tell that everyone immediately adopted the same stance: stare straight ahead, don’t breathe, pretend that you’re part of the chair and pray to every deity going that he won’t see you.

He singled out his victims and we cheered them on wildly, accompanied by apparent sighs of relief. What brave souls they are! Bravo!

The best part, though, is that all of the volunteers were really good sports, and did get genuinely involved. I could type out a list of all the hilarious things he made them do without having to say a word, but that would ruin things.

All I’ll tell you, then, is that he made very creative use of his props, music, and audience. Hardhats, bubble machines, pelvic thrusts, snow globes and a musical bin were all involved.

This is a show that you absolutely do not want to miss. I have not been to anything that made me laugh so hard in a very long time. Who says that stand ups need great punch lines? The Boy has just proved that action really does speak louder than words.

The Boy With Tape On His Face will be returning to Leeds to perform at The Wardrobe’s cabaret night The Wet Spot for one night on Saturday 17th March.

Want to find out more and hear the Boy open his mouth? Keep an eye out for my upcoming interview with him!