Isaac Lomman – Hypnosis [Live]: See The Show Or Be The Show – Adelaide Fringe Review

Gluttony – Cornucopia, Sat 17 Feb. [MAGIC/HPYNOTISM – SA] Imagination is a funny thing. Literally! Adelaide-born hypnotist Isaac Lomman proves this fact with a click of his fingers as a stage full of willing volunteers fall under his magnetic spell. Lomman consistently tells us that it is the hypnotee’s imaginations that do the work – well, some of them worked pretty hard let me tell you! Lomman’s stage presence is slick and shiny; he is arresting to watch and his voice mesmerises as he spends the first part of the show taking his volunteers into a state of deep hypnosis. Along the way some don’t quite make it there and are quickly dispatched, however those left behind provide ample comic material for the hour-long show. I could be all sceptical and say there were a couple of ladies I felt were ‘putting it on’ on this night, and that’s ok – as long as they enjoyed themselves who cares? Others certainly seemed under Lomman’s considerable influence as he had them dancing and dabbing their way around the stage to the great delight of a thoroughly entertained audience. The suggestions are not particularly imaginative in themselves and are varied from night to night but if you’ve seen Lomman perform at previous shows, you’ve seen most of this before– what does change is the different ways the volunteers respond. The best moments included watching a bunch of strapping young blokes give birth to and breastfeed imaginary babies (more than a little satisfying for the women in the audience!) and watching on as people forgot their names, became obsessed with hapless audience members or crept across the stage in ‘spy’ mode hunting for their nemesis. This is a show for those willing to go along for the ride, whether on stage or in the audience – leave your inhibitions and scepticism at the door and enjoy an hour of silliness, fun and wonder at the power of the human mind. 4 stars Rosie van Heerde Isaac Lomman – Hypnosis [Live] continues at Gluttony – Cornucopia from 6.30pm until Sun 18 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe