Meet and greet hypnotist!

I have just performed at a wedding reception!
Nothing unusual in that, in fact they usually go really well and I like doing them.
The problem - I originally thought I was going to have about 70 guests, on arrival I find out that there are only about 35 guests and about 4 of them are children, plus the bride and groom have decided to keep my performance a surprise.
The venue is not ideal either, on entering the building you come into a foyer, off to the right is the room they are holding the wedding breakfast in, next to it is a doorway to the bar and toilets, on the other side is a small room and another doorway to the kitchens etc.
The hotel manager originally suggested I set up in the small room until I pointed out there would be no where for the guests to view the show from, then we decided to move the show to the foyer, I set up my PA etc and sound checked then to find a mobile disco arriving and wanting to use the same area as me!
On discussion with the DJ we decide to loose my equipment and I plug in through his system.
This then led to a very unusual result, In my 'optimism!' I have decided to set up with 4 chairs, despite there only being about 30 adults, it being a surprise cabaret, there being no seating for my audience and the limiting conditions I manage to get 12 volunteers and work 9 of them. It was a really good show and everyone, young and old, thoroughly enjoyed themselves!

Feeling old!

I recently performed at a holiday camp in Great Yarmouth and although the show absolutely rocked, I left feeling a bit long in the tooth!
The camp entertainer that was to operate my sound during my show informed me that he had seen my show before!
He told me that he used to watch me perform every year when he and his family used to go to Pontins when he was about 10 or twelve and that I had already hypnotised his dad once!
Afterwards he was very complementary and said the show was awesome, even better than he remembered it!

"First Choice" International hypnotist!

Yes, I am now officially THE First Choice Hypnotist!

Well, I have just come back from doing a 4 day 'fly back' for 'first choice holidays' to Cyprus.

They contacted me at short notice and I was available for the days that they wanted and it all came together. I had a great time working out there and, according to the feedback from the booking agent, I went down really well!

Now waiting to see if there is any more, there is a rumour that they want me to go to Egypt next!

Great graffiti!

Hi, I was doing a gig, a football club presentation night, at a pub in Sunderland last night and saw some great graffiti on the dressing room wall.
The venue had a nice little stage with lots of black and silver curtains all over it, someone had written on the dressing room wall "Remember, if it all gets too much, walk to the back of the stage, go through the curtains and you will be in Narnia!"
This appealed to my sense of humour!

I've been lazy!

Sorry all!
I've had loads to write, but just don't seem to have the time.
I promise that I will try and catch up on a few of the interesting stories, but the next one is the one that inspired me to start blogging again!

Thanks for the photos!

Loads of people promise to send photos after a show and very few people ever do!

Here is a shot from a private college near Ipswich, taken at a house dinner, which i think captures the essence of what I do!

Many thanks again for sending the photos!

Psychic / spiritualist and the hypnotist!

Well I have always considered myself a bit of a sceptic, I know a little bit about magic, mindreading and cold reading etc and therefore did not believe much about psychics / spiritualists etc.
I have just worked on the same bill as Ken Murray, 'the psychic cabbie' I was very impressed!
If it is not real I do knot know how he could get the messages from the other side that he appeared to be getting.
Plus what a great night, it was a sell out and the audience loved it!
He opened the show with this amazing display of very personal messages for people, he blew their minds! Then I came on with the comedy hypnosis and rocked the night!
I was so impressed that I have teamed up with Ken and added another page to my website to promote the new package show. http://www.adamnight.co.uk/psychic%20and%20hypnotist.htm

Bank Holidays love them / hate them? I don't know!

Well, we are in the bank holiday season again, I love them because they bring loads of work, but I hate them because you miss out on doing all that family stuff that everyone else is doing.
I.e. bank holiday Monday, with the family at my sister in law's house having a great barbecue, two thirty comes and i have to leave everyone to drive to Manchester for a big student graduation ball at the Hilton hotel!
Still, I keep reminding myself, It's the money that we do this for and I did work four night in a row over the bank holiday, so I guess I will just have to enjoy myself some other time!

James Szeles ...Interesting!

Hi, Some of you may remember I had a bit of a run in with an American Hypnotist, a while ago, who threatened to have my site closed down, me sued for all sorts under copyright law and I cant remember what else - me vapourised or something!!
Well, as you can all see, I am still here! and trading fine, as my solicitors correctly predicted!
The interesting thing I mentioned though, is - someone (who will remain nameless, in case it upsets James Szeles [pronounced Zeles, the 'S' is silent, apparently!]) has given me a video of the afore mentioned Szeles they bought on eBay! ...Interesting as I said!

Another busy bank holiday!

Well, it's been another busy, but satisfying bank holiday weekend!
I have just completed four shows in four days and three of those shows have already said they want to book me back! (I must be doing something right).
I have been quite lucky this time round, three of those shows were quite local (less than an hours drive), only one long distance one, one trip to Bicester and back, some 550 mile round trip.

Is this the most unusual gig?

Over my many years in the business I have worked some strange jobs, I have worked in peoples houses, in marquees in peoples gardens, in home made marquees in peoples gardens (with the professional DJ working from the garden shed), I have worked on river cruise boats, in an outdoor, open air market (in the rain!), at 5am in a casino, at a stately home, in a cinema (several times), in a shopping mall, even in a fruit and veg market and in a cattle market (minus the animals!).
But I think my newest one is the best, I have just been booked to perform at a zoo!
Have you ever done a more bizarre hypnosis show?

Tough Night

I had a return booking at a private family club in London at the weekend.
Usually a return visit means an even better night than last time,as people know what to expect and are keen to give it a try.
This was the exception to the rule! Got to the bit where I ask for volunteers and no one came up (begging really is an ugly emotion!).
We took a short break and tried again, this time we got a few, reluctant, volunteers but it was tough. Although I got a few into a light trance there was really only one workable subject, a 14 year old boy, he was fantastic!
So, we did a very impromptu show and I included, for the first time, something Chris James (www.chrisjames.info) had told me about. I did a question and answer session with the audience (a great little time filler, thank you Chris).
Anyway, the client was still pleased with the night and that is why we do this!

New kid on the block

I have now started training a new pupil, Kev Bee,he is already showing very promising signs.
He even has the first showings of a website sorted out! www.kevbee.co.uk

Small but perfectly formed!

A few days ago I drove all the way to Bells golf club in the Forest of Dean, on arrival I find out that they have only 26 people booked, my heart sank!
However it turned out to be a really great night, they had a meal and a close up magician first then my cabaret spot. I was very lucky, even though there was only 26 there, 8 volunteered and I hypnotised 7 of them.
The hotel are already talking about re booking for later in the year and promoting it differently and there may be another booking from a family that were there on the night!
But it was a long way back and it was the night the clocks changed, so it seemed to take even longer!

Have you done a rougher, tougher gig?

Over the Easter holidays I have had the pleasure of performing at one of the roughest, toughest venues I have ever been to.
On arrival I was pleasantly greeted by the shimmering surface of the car park, only to realise that was all broken glass!
I looked at the venue to notice all windows were fitted with re enforced safety cages around them!
On arrival I needed the loo, so popped into the gents and noticed that all the cubicles had had their toilet seats either stolen or broken and on closer inspection I noticed that none of them had locks on the doors!
When I went inside and to the bar I noticed that the till was protected behind a big wrought iron grill, Inviting! I thought!
However, the crowd were a little rough and ready but the show went well and as a bonus, when I left, my car was still where I left it and undamaged, that's what I call a good night!
Have you worked anywhere rougher?
P.S. Whilst there, I used the staff toilets behind the bar, they were no better and the light bulb was missing (or stolen)!

It's a busy Easter!

Just finished show two and another four to go!
This Easter I am working six days out of the next seven, luckily most of them are fairly local, the only longish distance one is tomorrow, in Liverpool.
The first two have gone down really well, both venues are rebooking for later in the year, because they had such a good response.

Not a trophy hypnotist!

Bit of an unusual event this week!
Arrived at a gig in the Midlands, it was a five a side league presentation night. Spoke to the duty manager and he explained where he wanted me to set up and he proudly showed me the pool table stuffed full of trophies.
We discussed the show, times etc. and he told me that he wanted me to follow the presentations.
Well, the agreed start time came and went and we only had 3 teams turn up to get their trophies and 1 of them was definitely not staying for the show and the other 2 would quite liked to have watched, but no way were they going to take part.
So I got paid, packed up and did the long drive home!

STILL BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT!

Hi Everybody!
Great news! I have just confirmed my re booking at Alnwick castle, this December, for the Duchess of Northumberlands' staff and childrens Christmas party.
I performed there a few years ago and, apparently, they are still talking about it and want more of the same again this year!

Please read the contract before cancelling

Unfortunately, I have just had an unpleasant experience with a venue in Hull.
I phoned the venue the day before I was booked to appear to double check the arrangements, to be told he thought someone else had been in touch to cancel me.
I explained that they had not and there was nothing I could do about it at this late stage anyway.
I listened to his excuses, and although I was now entitled to full fee, made him a very generous offer for a cancellation fee. He refused and tried the old cop out of he did not sign and return the contract. I pointed out that in British law once you offer someone an engagement (even verbally) it becomes a contract (although this one is often hard to prove without witnesses), however under the terms and conditions of my contract even if he did not sign and return the contract if he does not raise any objections within 7 days it is deemed to have been accepted.
He still feels he is exempt from this, even though I pointed out that I am a member of Equity and that they have successfully sued Booker's, several times, in the past under these terms.
I have now referred this to Equity who will claim my full fee, plus interest, plus any court costs.
This is now going to cost him a lot more than the cancellation fee I was willing to accept!

Should have paid more attention in those Geography lessons!

Almost made a bit of a hash of a double booking last week!
I had an early evening booking in the diary for what I thought was Chatham, so it did not seem too unreasonable to accept a late booking for a squaddies "Going to Afgan party" in Canterbury.
This should of been only some 20 or so miles apart, quite acceptable. However on the day, I get both contracts out to find out the first gig is not in Chatham, it is in Caterham in Kent, some 70 miles away.
I was very luck, with some rushing about and very fast driving I managed to pull off both gigs to both clients satisfaction.
Plus the squaddies want me back for their coming home party in six months time! (Good luck out there lads, come home safe!).

"As You LIke It", Like it!

Just recently performed a gig at a new Cabaret venue in My home town of Newcastle, As You Like It.
It went very well and was well received by patrons, staff and the local licencing officer who came along to vet my show.
In fact I have been re booked for two more dates!
This is a great new cabaret venue and I wish them every success!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Well, It's been another busy week!
Wednesday saw me travelling to Manchester to do 2 hypnotherapy sessions, then on to Liverpool to do a show in a nightclub there.
I did not go on stage until 1am, but it went really well and they loved me!
got to my hotel at 3 am, short sleep then drive down to Canterbury for a show for the military, a group of squaddies just about to go on a tour of duty.
Again a great show and they are already talking about booking me for their welcome home party in six months time!
Then a long drive through the night to get me back home!
And that is just the midweek stuff!

Mistaken identity, but who cares?

Well, after Fridays' show things could only get better and they did in a strange sort of way!
Booked through an agent for a football club night just outside Edinburgh, Gets there and it is a sell out crowd!
The organiser is so pleased to see me "AGAIN" tells me I have worked for him twice before and what great nights they have been! and how he is looking forward to this one!
I check with him and try to correct him as I am fairly sure that I have not worked for him before, but he is adamant.
Anyway, do the show and absolutely rock! Afterwards the organiser is telling me what "ANOTHER" great night he has had and he will be booking me again soon!
Then he tries to jog my memory and tell me about the last show I did for him and when I told his brother in law he was Skippy the gay kangaroo and I told him that his b**ls were on fire! He was still adamant it was me, so I thanked him said I looked forward to working for him again soon and left.
I assure anyone reading this that I have NEVER performed either of those two sketches in my life!
Just goes to show that people remember what we do more than who we are.
So forget the rest and book me instead, no one will be able to tell the difference!

Correction to last posting!

Hi
Since my last posting "The one and only* Chris James" has pointed out that although I mentioned him by name I did not give a link to his website.
I would now like to make amends, please find Chris James at www.chrisjames.info
* by the way "the one and only" does not apply to Chris James (of which there are several), it applies to the number of hypnotised subjects he favours to use!

Too hot to handle, hypnotist!

Well, one of those nights we all dread - arrive at the venue and get that sinking feeling, everything looks wrong!
Not very busy and the people that are there look all wrong for this type of show (about 20 or so middle aged, middle classed people who looked like they would have been there even if there was no entertainment on!).
Set up, doing my sound check and one particular group being very noisy and full of themselves and their 'perceived' own importance.
Also whilst setting up the manageress tells me they are having problems with the electrics and the lights and power in the building is going up and down at will.
Due to start at 8.30, manageress asks to hold till 8.45 in the hope more people will arrive then gets put back to 9.00 then 9.30.
Finally get to start the show and start getting mild heckling and attempted one-upmanship from the ringleader of the earlier boisterous group, but nothing that a couple of put-downs on mic did not stop quickly!
ask for volunteers and really struggle, eventually get a few, but included is the local village idiot who is so drunk that standing is as challenging as any sort of susceptibility test. I manage to get one lady into a very mild trance, but nothing you would want to attempt a show with!
Ask for a second set of volunteers, get three more, but before I can even start one runs off scared! leaving two!
Things finally start to improve, I get one under!!!
Although I hate doing a show with one person (unlike Chris James, It does not bother him at all!) I am now determined that I am going to make this work!
Everything is going fine, she is working really well, the audience is loving it then low and behold head prat from earlier turns up at the side of the stage and tells me that is his daughter and he wants the show stopped NOW!
Well, to take a positive out of it, I wasn't enjoying it much anyway and it got me an early night!
Now you would probably think that was the end of the tale, but oh no! there is still one final twist. I am getting changed and about to pack the gear away when they tell me there is a burning smell and the fire brigade have been called - I pack in a hurry!
I am just getting the gear loaded as 2 fire crews arrive with full lights, sirens and breathing apparatus, I depart and leave them all to it wondering if the venue is going to go up in flames and if anyone will really miss it if it does?

I'm Back!!!

Sorry, so easy to get out of the habit of blogging when you are busy! (Yes, poor excuse, I know!).
There has been quite a few memorable and interesting shows, since I last wrote and I will try and bring you all up to date over the next week or so.
But, Must start with tonights' show, read next blog.