With his signature mad hair, bag of tricks and - of course - thick black tape across his mouth, Tape Face is quite a character, and even without saying a word he commands the attention of everyone in the audience. Every tiny movement is deliberate as he goes through elaborate set ups for ridiculous tricks, from pillow fights and tennis matches to tightrope walking and penetrating a shoe with a sock puppet.
An act like this relies a lot on audience participation, and some are more helpful than others, but Tape Face works beautifully with whatever he’s given, never failing to create laughs. The preparation for each gag is just as hilarious as the gag itself, and the show is perfectly paced.
The lighting and music deserve an accolade of their own - I have never seen them used to brilliantly, to such perfect comedic effect, in any other show. The wall of lights that form the backdrop are stunning, and are used to create a wide range of effects from the burning fires of hell to a raging storm. I absolutely loved it.
One of the best things about Tape Face is that so much of what he does is so unbelievably simple that you wonder why no one else has ever done it before. That’s where his true genius lies - in creating entertainment from the most basic, mundane objects and concepts. You won’t be able to keep the grin off your face, and you’ll barely notice the time passing as you wonder what he’ll thrill you with next. And I guarantee, by the end of the show, you’ll be dancing with joy!
The Tape Face Show is on at 21:40 at Pleasance Courtyard until August 26th, excluding the 14th. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the EdFringe website.
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