I would like a small poll on the best thing to do pre show.

I prefer to do a walk round, go table to table, introduce myself and get to know the volunteers before they come up.
I find it gains rapport and gives you a good indication of the amount of people intending to come up and whether I like them or not, also it helps to find out how serious they are and a chance for them to get to know me a bit too.
I got nothing to hide.

a fellow hypnotist prefers to be elusive, does not go into the audience before the show, doesn't even show his face and he believes this brings a sense of mystery like he was a dark horse type and makes the audience more curious all to his advantage.

I think he is missing on so much helpfull information.

I'm not really looking for advice or opinions, (although it would be interesting), I would just like to see who prefers what and see if there is a clear winner in the two different methods

many thanks
much love

I hate arriving early for anything. I time it to arrive when I need to be there. So if there is a full sound rig and a proper stage, I need only arrive five minutes before showtime, and put on my suit.
If I do arrive early I like to sit quietly backstage and read a good book. I take the occasional glance at the audience to assess them, but that's all. I know I should stroll through and gain rapport, but though I know that's the right thing to do, its just not me.

A good and honest answer Tony. Let me state up front that I've seen Asithlord do a couple shows. He Rocks by the way! And there's no doubt in my mind after watching him do his thing pre-show that for him it simply works. For the record I think my style would be similar to his. Even in a mentalist show I'd do the pre-show table hopping thing (NOT performing, just chatting).
However, there's probably something in the psyche of that particular type of performer, wherebye you'll find that it's for a very good reason.
I could be wrong but I think if you're playing to large audiences (this is NOT a fat thing I'm talking numbers here) then perhaps knowing you wouldn't NEED to get the audience on you side (for I feel psychologically that's why we do it)and you might not bother.

You always have to get the audience on your side or the show will be tough. With the bigger shows yuo need to take control and sort out any hecklers fast or it could end up difficult. Larger audiences tend to have a much higher chance of heckling. Although it can happen in smaller venues to. Especially where drink is involved.

Im with Tony on this one. I don't really see the need to mingle before. Try it Bobser without the mingling to test it out. You might find it makes no difference?

However if you have a small audience of 50 say then perhaps mingling etc would help. But I would try and stay away from these type of shows anyway.

I simply don't mingle before the show.

I have my show set up more as a "theater experience" and this simply never happens during a theater show.

I am not saying it is right or wrong, I am saying it "is", at least for me.
To me there is this odd disconnect with people seeing you before the show, and then going backstage to be introduced.

Also I don't like the idea that the rest of the audience can say to themself, "HMMM he was talking to them before the show". I just don't like the way that appears.

I am sure it works fine, just not my style.

I think a lot of the answers and advice on this have been excellent.
I guess there will always be a difference on a 500 strong audience all hyped and expecting something awesome and 47 guys sitting in a pub during happy hour wondering what exactly a hypnosis show is.

That sums it up for me. If it is a small to medium sized gig then introducing yourself beforehand does have value. You can of course gain valuable info (gave you been hypnotized before, who is most up for this)and even set up some chimps in the audience. More importantly it is a great way to achieve three things your strolling opener/intro should always do.

1. Introduce yourself
2. Introduce the premise to set their expectations
3. Elicit a response

Of course decent promotion and a strong introduction from the stage achieve this anyway. It also gives an opportunity to set at ease those who might be concerned in a more personal way than you can from the stage. In a small gig this can up the number of those who will take part in your initial call up by 10 to 20%.

When doing walk around prior to a stage show I find mentalism is better suited to this than magic. For me it is easier to link these kind of effects to something 'real' like hypnosis. That said I know several close up guys who can slide easily from that into hypnosis. As long as those you perform for are left knowing that you are looking for volunteers and know you as The Hypnotist it is all good.

There is a concern expressed by some stage hypnotists, far longer in the game than me, that if you do magic prior to an event then you are a just a magician doing hypnosis. If they see you doing magic close up and then grand illusions on stage they will likely make the logical leap that it is all tricks. If they see you doing magic close up and then hypnosis they make the illogical leap it is all tricks.

Personally I do not find it is a problem. The routines on stage should speak for themselves and rise above trickery. There is no shame in doing a gig for 50 or less. Many stage hypnotists quake in their boots at the thought. Play it large regardless

Regards,

Anthony

>>>>Personally I do not find it is a problem. The routines on stage should speak for themselves and rise above trickery. There is no shame in doing a gig for 50 or less. Many stage hypnotists quake in their boots at the thought. Play it large regardless<<<<

There is no shame at all. I just don't like doing them a lot more work for less pay. Plus I found them draining and unsatisfying. And also you have a harder job geting volunteers. Many small audiences want to see a hypnotist but don't want to volunteer. And I can't be bothered trying to persuade them.

Better off just doing some mentalism.

I know its not an official hypnosis stage show but its in the works. I don't feel too much pressure since Ive always done suggestion in my shows. In fact, most of my mentalism show is pseudo- suggestion.
I always try to table hop before a show. 99 percent of my gigs are strolling mentalism followed by a short stage show. Im already planning ahead for introduding hypnosis now. I will ease into it gently with demo lecture type inductions with whatever I can get to come up. I have used the suggestibility tests before and the spinning wheel for trance. May have to bring it back but it was competing with my opener.

Preshow is always my way with an explanation of what went on earlier.

Candin

Interesting so far, I understand in a theatrical scenario it probably wouldn't be apropriate to do it.
smaller venues I feel it would be best.
ill go for the elusive/mysterious thing next time just to see if it really makes a difference, but for me, meeting the people who pay the wages and made the effort to come and watch/take part deserve a small amount of my time and thanks.

both the options work, I wondered which was most common.
thanks to all responders.

Hi, its horses for courses ,stick to what works for you, at the end of the day its about your performance ,it doesn't matter if you got two or twenty good subjects. Your the entertainer give them a great show they will love you regardless.The audience hasn't got a clue what your doing, if it goes pear shaped it your fault but blame them!

Cheers (dark horse)