Mystery and Comedy: André the Hilarious Hypnotist
Is hypnosis real or are people just playing along? André the Hilarious Hypnotist makes you question what is real and what is not in his stage show and latest television season, Skaterlag Met André.
What Is This Thing Called Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a changed state of awareness, increased relaxation and focused concentration. Importantly, a hypnotised person might have a more enhanced response to suggestions. However, nowhere does the dictionary state that hypnosis and sleeping are the same thing. André says: “We expect hypnosis and a coma to be the same thing,” but a person is “actually wide awake.”
Still, hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis are very different. He explains: “A psychological treatment is not the the same as a comedy skit that relies on people being open to do silly things.”
André first interaction with hypnosis was with South Africa’s hypnotic legend, Max Collie. After working in the army’s entertainment for a while, André saw one of Collie’s shows and demanded for him to be his mentor.
“I knew that was what I wanted to do,” he says. He wanted to do more than magic shows and juggling acts. He explains that whilst his medium is hypnosis, his art form is comedy. Evidently, André the Hilarious Hypnotist was born.
André’s Hypnosis Skills on Stage
Whilst he may technically be classified as a one-man-band, André’s shows rely on volunteers and the audience. Each night, new audience members join him on stage and allow him into their heads. They follow his suggestions, but each reaction is different, which makes for an utterly unique and funny experience. After all, “what is better than watching your friends do silly things on stage?”
Subliminal suggestions – words that influence a person without them being entirely aware of it – is how André conducts his stage hypnosis. This means his volunteers still have their morals, values and control over their actions, but are simply more susceptible to doing what he says. The self-conscious aspect of being on stage suddenly disappears.
“You are in Baywatch, and you need to save a lady from the audience,” suggests André. Or: “You are the best trumpet player here tonight. Show us your skills.” A favourite of ours was: “Now the drums kick in, you are the best rockstar drummer in town.” That Saturday night’s volunteers were phenomenal and made the audience laugh uncontrollably. Sometimes this is not the case, though. That is when André has to improvise and be a proper showman.
It makes for candid comedy and a curiosity that lingers even after the stage doors have closed. André says that “people find hypnosis interesting as they never know if it is real or if people are just playing along. People like a mystery and that is what I give.”
Skaterlag Met André Returns to DStv
After premiering this television series in 2001, André is coming back for season 3 this year. The show involves on-stage and off-stage scenes with volunteers who are hypnotised and made to do hilarious things. The off-stage parts are completely candid and occur in public spaces, with volunteers’ actions and the reactions of the public making for a lot of fun.
“It happens around your city or town which makes it close to home,” says André. You recognise the shopping centre or the beach where the skit is taking place.
They have been filming for quite a while now and have many episodes lined-up and ready to go. For example, André says audiences can look forward to volunteers being made to rescue lifeguards on dry land or adopt chickens and treat them like children in shopping centres. Or, believing the bed shop is your room and you don’t want people walking into your space.
In each of his shows, there is also a famous singer. In fact, we were given the hint of “hop, hop, spinnekop” – something that might just get you excited about attending these live filming sessions.
Is it real? Who knows. Is it funny? Yes!
Join André the Hilarious Hypnotist for the filming of his shows at Carnival City on 6 to 8 February 2025 (no under 21s allowed).
