Issue 153

Hendrefoilan hypnotised

26th February 2007

The ninth of February saw the return of infamous XXX Hypnotist Tony Lee, back by popular demand. He popped into Woody's to entertain, amuse and humiliate Swansea University's students, promising another unforgettable performance.

A favourite with students, Tony Lee has been practicing hypnosis for well over 11 years and has performed in venues ranging from University campuses to nightclubs and comedy clubs. Each of his performances are highly anticipated, and Swansea was no exception.The venues he plays are always packed with excited audiences eager to laugh at their friends or fellow audience members embarrassing themselves on stage.

His 'victims' perform unmissable antics, ranging from pretending to drive a car to performing saucy sexual actions - to such an extent that the audience cannot believe what they are witnessing.

Hypnotism has always been an issue prone to controversy as it involves interfering with a person's mind to change the way that they react. You are within the grip and control of the hypnotist therefore making Lee's act in Woody's exciting, unpredictable and highly amusing.

The show included a variety of situations that the volunteers or 'victims' were put into, accompanied by great music and a hilarious opening act from Lee's partners.

In order to choose his participants, Lee attempted to hypnotise the whole audience. Naturally this doesn't work with everyone, but everyone is encouraged to get involved. The hypnosis itself began with calming music, followed by Lee asking the audience to clasp together their hands and force their forefingers together. This attempts to induce a relaxed state that would trick the mind into thinking they were permanently stuck together. Those members of the audience who experienced this were apparently susceptible to hypnotism and were therefore invited on to the stage to take part in the rest of the show's action.

The act began with Lee assuring the audience that hypnotism was safe and that the participants would return to their normal selves after the show. He then proceeded to the mildest part of the evening. The participants had to pretend to drive a car. Though this was quite normal, it was still extremely amusing to see people sitting with their eyes closed and with the utmost concentration on their face, attempting to drive an invisible car!

As the show progressed, the actions become more and more controversial, mainly involving sexual antics - as is expected from his title of 'XXX'. These ranged from performing actions whilst sitting on a chair, to actions actually involving the chair. The said chair was later given some relief and a well deserved break when it was replaced by a member of the audience instead. The gentlemen in question put on a brave face and was submitted to some humiliating treatment from the male members of the participants, whilst he was crouched on all fours. Still, this was great entertainment for the audience, who loved every moment.

The highlight of the evening was when Lee instructed his volunteers to lick whipped cream off a member of the audiences' lower back. This was particularly amusing yet too much for some of the crowd half of whom were looking away in disgust while the other half were giving a standing ovation.

The end of the act was again an unforgettable sight. The looks on the faces of the volunteers when they came to realise just what they had been doing that night was utterly priceless. The night was one which not only ensured that everyone enjoyed themselves, but also made sure they experienced something that they would never forget anytime soon - however hard they might try to forget.

One, two, three... And you're back in the room!

Ben Edmunds