The Boy With Tape On His Face to open 2014 Darlington Comedy Festival

The Boy With Tape On His Face is to help open the 2014 Darlington Comedy Festival.

The silent stand-up, who performs unique comedy shows with duct tape over his mouth, will headline the festival’s annual charity gala at the Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 8 July.

The show, in aid of the Butterwick Hospice, Darlington Association on Disability, St Teresa’s Hospice and Daisy Chain, will also feature Ideal star Seymour Mace, Rob Rouse, Patrick Monahan, Carl Hutchinson and Rob Deering.

A former circus and street performer in his native New Zealand, Sam Wills began performing as The Boy With Tape On His Face in 2008.

Since then he’s won Best Show, Best Show Concept and People’s Choice at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, as well as the Fosters Panel Award at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe.

Wills also made an appearance at the 2011 Royal Variety Performance, where he performed his trademark silent stand-up in front of the Queen.

Tickets for the gala are on sale now.

Darlington Comedy Festival Charity Gala, Darlington Civic Theatre, Tuesday 8 July, 7.30pm, £18-£22.50, darlingtoncomedyfestival.co.uk