Laughter has been defined as an expression of relief that it’s not you up there making a twit of yourself.  For comedian, showman and hypnotist Liam Vincent, that very human response is the means by which he makes a living.  His face will be known to many from a number of TV shows, including Shortland Street and Hercules, but these days it’s more likely to be found on a stage or in the hypnotherapist’s chair.

          Born in England, Vincent trained and worked in Britain as a stand-up comedian and impersonator.  Now living in New York City, he as brought this talent to his hypno-shows, which are rapidly becoming renowned as the best way to celebrate a corporate or personal event with any bunch of people who don’t mind laughing at each other…or at themselves.

          “I’m about the only stage hypnotist around at the moment who has come to hypnotism from an entertainment background, and it wraps nicely into the atmosphere of the show,” says Mr. Vincent.  “The audience comes along for the whole experience, not just the Hypnosis.”

          As Mr. Vincent points out, Americans relate particularly well to the English brand of comedy (ie. Benny Hill and the popularity of Monty Python's Spamalot on Broadway), and thoroughly enjoy experiencing something a bit different from the stand-up norm.

          “My comedy is about getting in touch with people,” he observes.  “It’s a case of establishing a two way communication between the comic and the audience.  I’ve got to be constantly on the ball and prepared to respond quickly to the unexpected – especially when I’m using hypnosis.  Of course, like any impromptu comedy, the act is built around a structured nucleus, but at the same time it has to be absolutely flexible and varied.”

          Say the word “hypnosis”, and a lot of people immediately think of the swinging watch; not in this case.  Mr. Vincent practices waking hypnosis, where the subject is simply asked to relax totally until they reach the point where the conscious mind takes a back seat to the sub-conscious.  This leaves them completely free from inhibition and prepared to embrace a slightly different version of reality for a brief space of time.

          “The ideal subject is able to focus totally on my voice and accept without questioning everything I say, because at that point that is what is real for them,” Mr. Vincent explains.  “Therefore, a person who is open to suggestion will make a good subject.”

          There is no way you can force anyone to be hypnotized.  Not only do they have to want it to happen, but they have to be able to let it happen, and not everyone can.  A number of people can be hypnotized easily, whereas for others it takes a bit more effort.  At the start of every show, I set up a couple of tests for the volunteers, to eliminate (very politely, of course) those who are not going to be suitable.”

          Mr. Vincent defines hypnosis as a kind of un-sleeping sleep.  It’s a case of relaxing to the degree that the critical voice in your head – the voice of your consciousness – is silenced.  At this stage, although the subject is more relaxed than they will ever be at any other time of the day or night, the senses are heightened, but what they take in is distant and free from judgment.

          He sees the hypnotist as a kind of tourist guide to the inner self, changing the belief systems of the sub-conscious so that it accepts what it’s told, not what is real.  In this state, the subject can be anything they want to be.  They become infinite, 100% self-confident, although their basic character cannot be changed.  At this stage, they will believe apples are onions, salt water is beer, and an empty camera bag on the floor is too heavy to pick up – to the vast amusement of those watching.

          “The audience rapport in a live show like this comes from identification with the subjects, and you just don’t get that in a televised performance,” says Mr. Vincent.

          “At the same time, too, I think seeing something like this happening right in from of your eyes helps lend credibility to hypnotherapy, which has always been seen as a fringe practice.  In the same way you can inform the sub-conscious an onion is actually an apple, you can tell it smoking or alcohol are not necessary from stress relief.  You can program somebody to have more faith in themselves and their abilities, use it to increase confidence and motivation, or instruct them to recall or re-assess things you thought had been forgotten, whether it’s a personal incident, or a book you read last year.”

          Mr. Vincent has been staging his shows for ten years now, for groups as varied as the Air Force, Modell's, and many universities and corporations.  If you are looking for a great evening’s entertainment or something to make your party go off with a bang, or simply want to know more about hypnotherapy, you can reach Mr. Vincent at the following address phone number: liamdrennan@yahoo.com (646) 319-1488.'

            The above was an article from the magazine “The Strip,” published recently.   Liam is now residing in New York City and is available for booking throughout the tri-state area on (646) 319-1488.  He is also available for therapy sessions, as he is also a clinical Hypnotherapist and can help with anything from stopping smoking, to reducing stress, to losing weight.

‘Laughter Shows

          Laughter has been defined as an expression of relief that it’s not you up there making a twit of yourself.  For comedian, showman and hypnotist Liam Vincent, that very human response is the means by which he makes a living.  His face will be known to many from a number of TV shows, including Shortland Street and Hercules, but these days it’s more likely to be found on a stage or in the hypnotherapist’s chair.

X-Ray Glasses

          Born in England, Vincent trained and worked in Britain as a stand-up comedian and impersonator.  Now living in Auckland, he as brought this talent to his hypno-shows, which are rapidly becoming renowned as the best way to celebrate a corporate or personal event with any bunch of people who don’t mind laughing at each other…or at themselves.

Sleep standing up

          “I’m about the only stage hypnotist about at the moment who has come to hypnotism from an entertainment background, and it wraps nicely into the atmosphere of the show,” says Vincent.  “The audience comes along for the whole experience, not just the Hypnosis.”

Itchy Butt

          As Vincent points out, New Zealanders relate particularly well to the English brand of comedy, and thoroughly enjoy experiencing something a bit different from the stand-up norm.

Morning cuddle

          “My comedy is about getting in touch with people,” he observes.  “It’s a case of establishing a two way communication between the comic and the audience.  I’ve got to be constantly on the ball and prepared to respond quickly to the unexpected – especially when I’m using hypnosis.  Of course, like any impromptu comedy, the act is built around a structured nucleus, but at the same time it has to be absolutely flexible and varied.”

 World’s most famous spy

          Say the word “hypnosis”, and a lot of people immediately think of the swinging watch; not in this case.  Vincent practices waking hypnosis, where the subject is simply asked to relax totally until they reach the point where the conscious mind takes a back seat to the sub-conscious.  This leaves them completely free from inhibition and prepared to embrace a slightly different version of reality for a brief space of time.

  Drunk as a skunk

          “The ideal subject is able to focus totally on my voice and accept without questioning everything I say, because at that point that is what real,” Vincent explains.  “Therefore, a person who is open to suggestion will make a good subjection.”

 Reading without his glasses

          There is no way you can force anyone to be hypnotized.  Not only do they have to want it to happen, but they have to be able to let it happen, and not everyone can.  A number of people can be hypnotized easily, whereas for others it takes a bit more effort.  At the start of every show, I set up a couple of tests for the volunteers, to eliminate (very politely, of course) those who are not going to be suitable.”

 “Hide me I’m naked”

          Vincent defines hypnosis as a kind of un-sleeping sleep.  It’s a case of relaxing to the degree that the critical voice in your head – the voice of your consciousness – is silenced.  At this stage, although the subject is more relaxed than they will ever be at any other time of the day or night, the senses are heightened, but what they take in is distanced and free from judgment.

  Let’s dance

          He sees the hypnotist as a kind of tourist guide to the inner self, changing the belief systems of the sub-conscious so that it accepts what it’s told, not what is real.  In this state, the subject can be anything they want to be.  They become infinite, 100% self-confident, although their basic character cannot be changed.  At this stage, they will believe apples are onions, salt water is beer, and an empty camera bag on the floor is too heavy to pick up – to the vast amusement of those watching.

 “I forgot my tie.”

          “The audience rapport in a live show like this comes from identification with the subjects, and you just don’t get that in a televised performance,” says Vincent.

          “At the same time, too, I think seeing something like this happening right in from of you helps lend credibility to hypnotherapy, which has always been seen as a fringe practice.  In the same way you can inform the sub-conscious an onion is actually an apple, you can tell it smoking or alcohol are not necessary from stress relief.  You can program it have more faith in oneself and one’s ability, use it to increase confidence and motivation, or instruct it to recall or re-assess things you thought had been forgotten, whether it’s a personal incident or a book you read last year.”

 He who laughs last….

          Liam Vincent has been staging his shows for two years now, for groups as varied as the Air Force, models, and St. John’s Ambulance.  If you are after a great evening’s entertainment or something to make a party go off with a bang, or want to know more about hypnotherapy, you can reach him at the HypnoCentre, on 0-9-360 3267 or 0-9-815 1801.’

            The above was an article from the magazine “The Strip,” published in 1997.   Liam is now residing in New York City and is available for booking throughout the tri-state area on (646) 319-1488.  He is also available for therapy sessions and can be reached at the Holistic Healing Center on (212) 358-5079.