By Susan Harrington

There are few things I love more than watching children play. The way they find delight in simple objects, the way loose parts become key components of their imaginative worlds and stories. But perhaps there is something even more whimsical in watching adults play. Perhaps it’s because we don’t see it as much and perhaps that’s because many adults have forgotten how. This week, I had the pleasure of watching a grown man play – in fact, he delivered a masterclass in it.

Tape Face: 20 is a joyful reminder that you don’t need words to leave an audience in stitches. From the moment the lights dim, mime comic Tape Face proves himself a master of the unexpected, transforming the most ordinary household items into outrageously funny props that fuel his ingenious skits. A simple tennis ball, a piece of cardboard, or an unsuspecting roll of toilet paper becomes the centrepiece of comedy gold in his hands.

What makes the show especially delightful is the creativity behind these everyday objects. Tape Face has an uncanny ability to see comic potential where most of us would see clutter. Each routine builds with playful logic and escalating absurdity until the audience is laughing helplessly, often wondering how on earth he came up with it in the first place.

Equally impressive is the soundtrack, which feels as carefully curated as the acts themselves. The music doesn’t just accompany the performance – it amplifies it. Perfectly timed beats, nostalgic snippets, and dramatic flourishes elevate each gag and help guide the audience through Tape Face’s wonderfully bizarre world.

A friendly warning to future audience members: this is not a passive viewing experience. Tape Face thrives on crowd participation, and no seat – or row – is truly safe. My husband discovered this firsthand when he was plucked from the audience and whisked onstage to become part of the spectacle. To his credit, he embraced the moment, much to the crowd’s (and our children’s) delight.

Playful, inventive, and gloriously silly, Tape Face: 20 is an evening of pure, interactive fun that leaves you grinning long after the curtain falls. In a world that often feels short on whimsy, Tape Face brings the remedy in boxes, bags and bins. What a wonderful way to spend an hour.

Rating: FIVE STARS!! 

For more information and to book now, visit: adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/tape-face-20-af2026

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