Comedy Festival 2012: The Boy with Tape on His Face (Sam Wills)

Sam Wills. Photo / Supplied

The New Zealand International Comedy Festival begins this weekend bringing local and international comic heroes to our stages. Here, The Boy with Tape on His Face talks about his forthcoming shows.

Your show in 10 words or less:

Award-winning silent comedy gold.

Will we have heard any of the jokes before?

I can guarantee that you would not have heard me say anything from this show before [Aha, there is such a thing as a mime joke - Editor].

Give us your best sales pitch. Why should we go to your show instead of saving our money for Flight of the Conchords play in July?

No. Go to both. Why should you get a present on your birthday when Christmas will happen at some point? Treat yourself, have both.

What is your pre-show ritual?

I hide one small section of tape somewhere in the venue.

Is dying on stage a rite of passage for a comedian or something to be avoided at all costs?

I think it should be avoided and those who go on to die onstage will make an excuse that it is a rite of passage.

Are members of the audience fair game? Or should they be treated with respect at all times?

The biggest respect should always be given to the audience. Without them the comedian is pointless.

If you were a super hero who would you be?

Joey Delaware.

For those of you who don't have a musical aspect to your show ... how do you compete with all those clever dicks offering the double whammy of musical comedy?

It's not a race, it's a dance.

Who will you be heading along to see during the festival?

Cult comedy sensation Spitroast. They are reforming for one show only.

From: New Zealand
In: The Boy with Tape on His Face - More Tape
When and where: Rangatira at Q Theatre, 7pm, May 14-19

- TimeOut