The Hypnotist
| Category: | Physical Comedy & Slapstick |
|---|---|
| Category: | Audience Participation |
| Props: | Pocket watch or pendant on chain, optional chairs for volunteers |
| Notes: | The Hypnotist should be very mysterious and use exaggerated hypnotic gestures. Volunteers should be enthusiastic and commit to the silly actions. Can recruit audience volunteers for extra fun! |
([Hypnotist] enters wearing mysterious clothing, swinging a pocket watch dramatically.)
[Hypnotist:] Ladies and gentlemen! I am the Great Mysterio, master hypnotist! I can control minds with the power of suggestion! Who will be my first volunteer?
([Volunteer 1] raises hand eagerly and comes forward.)
[Volunteer 1:] I'll do it!
[Hypnotist:] Excellent! Please, sit down and watch the pendulum...
([Volunteer 1] sits. [Hypnotist] swings watch back and forth.)
[Hypnotist:] You are getting sleepy... very sleepy... your eyes are heavy...
([Volunteer 1]'s head starts to bob, eyes getting droopy.)
[Hypnotist:] When I snap my fingers, you will think you are a CHICKEN!
([Hypnotist] snaps fingers. [Volunteer 1] immediately starts clucking, flapping arms like wings, and pecking at the ground.)
[Hypnotist:] Amazing! The power of the mind!
([Hypnotist] snaps fingers again. [Volunteer 1] stops and sits back down, dazed.)
[Volunteer 1:] What happened?
[Hypnotist:] You were under my control! Who else dares to challenge my power?
([Volunteer 2] steps forward confidently.)
[Volunteer 2:] I'm not afraid! Hypnotize me!
[Hypnotist:] Very well! Watch the pendulum...
([Hypnotist] swings watch. [Volunteer 2] watches intently.)
[Hypnotist:] You are under my control... When I snap my fingers, you will think you are the WORLD'S GREATEST OPERA SINGER!
([Hypnotist] snaps fingers. [Volunteer 2] strikes a dramatic pose and starts singing opera loudly and terribly, making exaggerated gestures.)
[Hypnotist:] Magnificent! The mind is a powerful thing!
([Hypnotist] snaps fingers. [Volunteer 2] stops mid-note and looks confused.)
[Volunteer 2:] Why is everyone staring at me?
[Hypnotist:] Never mind! I need one more volunteer to demonstrate my ultimate power!
([Volunteer 3] steps forward nervously.)
[Volunteer 3:] Um... okay, I guess.
[Hypnotist:] Watch the pendulum closely...
([Hypnotist] swings watch. [Volunteer 3] stares at it.)
[Hypnotist:] You are completely under my control... When I snap my fingers, you will think you are a STATUE and freeze completely still!
([Hypnotist] snaps fingers. [Volunteer 3] freezes in a weird pose.)
[Hypnotist:] Perfect! Now watch as I-- wait...
([Hypnotist] looks at watch and realizes something. Looks panicked.)
[Hypnotist:] Oh no! I've been staring at the pendulum too long! I'm getting sleepy...
([Hypnotist] starts to sway, eyes getting heavy.)
[Hypnotist:] I... I... I think I'm hypnotizing MYSELF!
([Hypnotist] suddenly freezes like a statue.)
([Volunteer 1] and [Volunteer 2] look at each other, then at the frozen [Hypnotist] and [Volunteer 3].)
[Volunteer 1:] Uh... should we do something?
[Volunteer 2:] I don't know! How do we wake them up?
[Volunteer 1:] Maybe we snap our fingers?
(Both snap their fingers. Nothing happens.)
[Volunteer 2:] Well, I guess the show's over!
(Both shrug and walk off, leaving [Hypnotist] and [Volunteer 3] frozen. Blackout.)