Last updated September 21, 2026 · By Richard Barker, comedy stage hypnotist
A comedy hypnosis show is a live performance where a hypnotist invites willing audience members on stage, guides them into a focused, suggestible state and leads them through unscripted comedy routines. Shows usually run 60 to 90 minutes with 10 to 20 volunteers. Nobody is forced to take part, and volunteers stay aware the whole time.
I’ve done more than 6,000 of these shows in 38 countries, and this fall you can catch me on select dates in Myrtle Beach. Steve Falcon, the producer behind The Comedy Hypnosis Hour, has taken his own show to MGM Grand in Las Vegas and brought me in to headline the Myrtle Beach show at the Wonders Theatre. So consider this the guide I’d give you before you walk into either room.
Now playing: The Comedy Hypnosis Hour, Myrtle Beach
Richard Barker headlines Steve Falcon’s Comedy Hypnosis Hour at the Wonders Theatre, Broadway at the Beach, on select dates this fall. Doors 8:45 p.m., show 9:15 p.m., ages 18+.
Key takeaways
- The audience supplies the cast, so no two shows are ever alike.
- Volunteering is always optional. Most of the room watches, and that’s the normal way to enjoy it.
- Volunteers stay aware, can stop at any time and won’t act against their values.
- Shows range from clean and corporate-safe to adults-only late shows. Check the rating before you book.
- Researchers still argue about exactly why stage hypnosis works. The volunteers are real audience members either way, not actors.
What is a comedy hypnosis show?
A comedy hypnosis show blends stage hypnosis, improv and audience participation. The hypnotist is host, comedian and director at once, and the volunteers become the performers. Wikipedia describes modern stage hypnosis as a comedy show rather than a plain demonstration of persuasion, which is exactly right.
The format is similar from one performer to the next. Erick Känd’s show seats up to 20 volunteers and runs 60 or 90 minutes. Steve Falcon’s Las Vegas show runs about 85 minutes. Mine runs 60 to 90 minutes with 10 to 20 volunteers, and The Comedy Hypnosis Hour in Myrtle Beach is built to fill a late night.
What happens during the show, step by step?
Almost every show follows the same five stages. Knowing them takes care of most first-timer nerves.
1. The warm up (5 to 10 minutes)
The hypnotist explains what hypnosis is and isn’t, and clears up the myths. Don’t skip past this in your head. A relaxed room produces more volunteers, and better ones.
2. The call for volunteers
Anyone interested is invited up. More people come forward than there are chairs. Nobody gets pulled out of their seat against their wishes.
3. The induction and the quiet selection
The hypnotist takes the group through a few simple focus exercises. As Steve Falcon’s FAQ puts it, the show carries on with the volunteers who respond most naturally. Anyone who doesn’t respond is thanked and sent back to their seat. It takes a few minutes, and you’ll see it happen.
4. The routines
Now the comedy starts. The hypnotist gives a suggestion and each volunteer reacts in their own way. Someone “loses” their belly button. Someone else is sure they’ve just won the lottery. The laughs come from those sincere reactions, not from prepared jokes, which is why it’s funnier than it has any right to be.
5. The wake up
The hypnotist brings everyone back to full alertness and removes every suggestion. Volunteers usually leave relaxed and refreshed, and a little bit famous for the rest of the night.
Is stage hypnosis real?
Yes, in the way that matters to you in the audience. The volunteers are genuine, and their reactions aren’t rehearsed. The honest answer has two parts, though.
First, what hypnosis is. The American Psychological Association’s Division 30 defines it as a state of focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness with an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion. It isn’t sleep, and it isn’t mind control.
Second, why it works. Researchers disagree. Wikipedia’s stage hypnosis entry notes that some put the behavior down to an altered state of consciousness, while others point to ordinary psychology in a group setting. My view after 20 years: both play a part. The selection stage alone makes sure the most responsive, least inhibited people are the ones left on stage.
Most performer sites skip all this and just say “yes.” A skeptic deserves the full picture, and honestly, the full picture makes the show more interesting to watch. I go deeper in Is stage hypnosis real? The honest truth.
Can everyone be hypnotized?
Most willing people respond to some degree, but how strongly varies a lot. Stanford Medicine research puts about 10% of people in the highly hypnotizable group. Willingness, concentration and imagination matter most. A show never depends on any one person, so if you don’t respond, nothing embarrassing happens. You just enjoy the rest from your seat.
Should you volunteer? How to decide and how to get chosen
Volunteer if you’re curious, comfortable being watched and happy to play along. If not, stay put. Nobody minds.
If you do want to go up, five habits help:
- Arrive early and sit near the front or on an aisle.
- Go up the second you’re asked. The chairs fill in seconds.
- Follow the first instructions exactly. The opening minutes decide who stays.
- Go easy on the drinks. Alcohol wrecks concentration.
- Go up to enjoy it, not to test the hypnotist.
Sit this one out if you’re pregnant, have a seizure disorder or a serious mental health condition, or just feel uneasy about it. When in doubt, ask the performer or the venue before the show.
Is a comedy hypnosis show safe?
A professionally run show is safe. Three facts explain why.
- You keep your judgment. Hypnosis doesn’t remove your values or your ability to decide. Steve Falcon’s FAQ says the same thing: participation depends on cooperation.
- You can’t get stuck. Hypnosis is a temporary state. The hypnotist wakes everyone up, and any volunteer can choose to stop.
- You’ll usually remember it. Most volunteers recall the show, although experiences vary.
Safety also comes down to the performer. A careful hypnotist keeps volunteers seated or supervised during physical routines and never runs a bit that mocks someone’s body, job, religion or relationship.
Will you be embarrassed? Adult versus clean shows
That depends on which show you pick, so check the rating first. Here’s the funny part: plenty of hypnotists do both. I run clean corporate shows in hotel ballrooms, and I also headline the adults-only 9:15 p.m. show in Myrtle Beach.
| Clean or corporate show | Adult late-night show | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical setting | Conferences, colleges, fairs, cruise ships | Resort theaters, casino showrooms, comedy clubs |
| Age guidance | All ages or 13+ | 16+, 18+ or 21+ |
| Humor | Situational and playful | Innuendo and adult themes |
| Best for | Mixed groups, colleagues, families | Couples, birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties |
| Example | Richard Barker’s corporate show | The Comedy Hypnosis Hour: Steve Falcon at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, and Richard Barker in Myrtle Beach (18+) |
Look past the marketing copy, too. A single ticket page can say “16+”, “adults only” and “great for families with older teens” all at once. If you’re bringing teenagers, confirm the age rule with the box office.
How do you choose a comedy hypnosis show?
Compare shows on six points before you buy:
- Rating and age policy. Match it to your group.
- Recent, unedited video. Highlight reels hide the pacing.
- Review text, not just stars. Look for comments about how the performer treated volunteers.
- Length and start time. A 9:15 p.m. start means dinner first. An early show means dinner after.
- Venue size. Smaller theaters feel more involving.
- Price, including fees. Vegas.com listed hypnosis shows from about $20 to $75 on September 21, 2026.
Check the show’s official page for times as well. Third-party sellers sometimes list different times and lengths for the same show.
Where can you see a comedy hypnosis show right now?
Two cities have resident shows running this fall, and both carry The Comedy Hypnosis Hour name.
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Steve Falcon presents The Comedy Hypnosis Hour with me headlining at the Wonders Theatre, Broadway at the Beach. Late show, 9:15 p.m., adults only. Tickets are here, and the Myrtle Beach show page has directions and the full rundown.
- Las Vegas, Nevada. Steve Falcon now performs his own Comedy Hypnosis Hour at MGM Grand’s Underground Theater, alongside Marc Savard and Kevin Lepine elsewhere in town. My guide to every Las Vegas hypnosis show compares them all.
Touring hypnotists also play fairs, colleges, comedy clubs and cruise ships all year.
Theater ticket or private show?
You can see a hypnotist two ways. Buy a ticket to a resident or touring show, or bring the show to you.
For a conference, holiday party, prom or fundraiser, a private show is often the better call. The content matches your audience, the volunteers are people everyone knows, and the whole group shares the moment. A touring corporate hypnotist performs right in your ballroom. If you’re planning one yourself, here’s everything you need to set up a comedy hypnosis show.
I perform clean comedy hypnosis for corporate, college and theater audiences across the USA, with 20+ years on stage and 6,000+ shows in 38 countries. Private shows start at $1,200. Check a date here.
Practical tips for the night
- Arrive 30 minutes early. Big resorts and entertainment complexes take time to cross, and some shows play a pre-show video.
- Dress comfortably. Dress codes are rare.
- Book reserved seats early for weekends.
- Ask about accessible seating when you buy.
- Film only if the venue allows it. Many shows sell or share clips afterward.
Richard Barker’s Final Thoughts
A comedy hypnosis show is the only night out where the stars are sitting next to you when the lights go down. Pick the right rating for your group, get there early, and if you’re curious, go up. The worst thing that happens is you get a great seat back in the audience. And if you’re anywhere near Myrtle Beach this fall, come and see The Comedy Hypnosis Hour. Steve built a great show, and I’m having the time of my life keeping it going while he takes Vegas.
Try the Hypnosis Hub App Free
If you want to experience hypnosis for yourself, the Hypnosis Hub app is the easiest place to start. It includes a free guided breathing program to calm your nervous system on demand, plus a full hypnosis audio session designed to help you sleep deeper and break the insomnia cycle. No subscription required to try it.
Download Hypnosis Hub Free, or scan the QR code above from your phone.
Comedy Hypnosis Show FAQ
How long is a comedy hypnosis show?
Most run 60 to 90 minutes. Steve Falcon’s Las Vegas show runs about 85 minutes, and corporate versions are often 45 to 60 minutes.
Where can I see Richard Barker perform live?
Richard Barker headlines The Comedy Hypnosis Hour, presented by Steve Falcon, at the Wonders Theatre in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on select dates in fall 2026. Doors open at 8:45 p.m., the show starts at 9:15 p.m., and it’s 18+. He also performs private shows for corporate, college and theater audiences across the USA.
Do I have to go on stage?
No. Every show relies on volunteers. You can enjoy the whole performance from your seat without being asked or pressured.
Can hypnosis make me do something against my will?
No. Hypnosis needs your cooperation and doesn’t remove your values or judgment. You can stop taking part at any time.
Can I get stuck in hypnosis?
No. Hypnosis is a temporary state of focused attention. The hypnotist wakes every volunteer before the show ends.
Is a comedy hypnosis show the same as a magic show?
No. A magic show uses tricks and illusions. A comedy hypnosis show uses suggestion, improvisation and real audience volunteers.
Are comedy hypnosis shows good for date nights and parties?
Yes. They suit couples, birthdays, and bachelor and bachelorette groups, especially when one of you volunteers. For workplace groups, pick a clean show over an adult one.
Is a hypnosis show suitable for children?
It depends on the show. Clean shows often welcome all ages, while adult shows set limits like 16+ or 18+. Always check first.
