Reg Blackwood, Hypnotist, Magician, MC

"Reg is the hypnotic triple threat...mindblowing hypnotist, powerful trainer and, most important, a true gentleman. It's an honor to call him a colleague and a friend."
- Emmy Award Winning Game Show Host, Entertainment Reporter and Author, Todd Newton
Hypnosis Show
Show duration: 60 to 90 minutes. If a longer show is required, then see “Interval Antics” below. If a shorter show is required, then please ask about my Mind Magic show.
Every show of mine is different, because we're dealing with unique personalities every single time.
I'd really like you to enjoy the show as much as everybody else, but I do understand you'd like to know a little bit more about the show you're booking.
So without giving too much away, I can tell you a typical show is structured something like this:
Icebreakers
Lots of audience participation, comedy, demonstrations of the power of suggestion and even a little mind-reading.
Volunteers
Only those who want to volunteer join me on stage to be hypnotised and become the stars of the show. Even as few as three volunteers can make a very entertaining spectacle.
Inductions
Each volunteer is rapidly hypnotised using a selection of my signature fast inductions.
Group Routines
The hypnotised volunteers take part in a series of entertaining routines, complete with musical backing or sound effects, designed to explore the imaginative and creative sides of their hypnotised minds.
Nobody is embarrassed or made to look foolish, yet the results are still hilarious.
Interval Antics
If an interval is required, the hypnotised volunteers are sent back out amongst their friends, however, they can't help but perform the tasks I have set them: Little jobs to keep them occupied and everyone else entertained. Note: An interval will add to the overall duration of the show, so it it will be more like 100 to 120 minutes.
More Routines - Group and Individual
Back on stage, they report on the fruits of their labour and join in even more funny and entertaining hypnotic routines .
The hidden strengths of some of the unique personalities on display really have a chance to shine through in some improvised individual routines.
All this culminates in a final routine where the audience get the chance to show their appreciation for the brave and entertaining volunteers.
Wake-up
Finally, each volunteer is woken up from their experience and it begins to dawn on some of them exactly what they have just been doing. It all comes back to some people much later.
Some never remember!
Safety
I take safety very seriously and while it is not a requirement under Australian law, every show is conducted in accordance with England's 1952 Hypnotism Act, one of the oldest and most highly regarded pieces of legislation of this kind in the world.
Rest assured. The entertainment of your guests is in very good hands!
Mind Magic Show
Show duration: 45 to 60 minutes on stage (or roving/table hopping.) If a longer show is required, then please ask about my Hypnosis show.
I'd really like you to enjoy the show as much as everybody else, but I do understand you'd like to know a little bit more about the show you're booking.
So without giving too much away, I can tell you a typical show contains some or all of the following effects and principles, all delivered with the trademark humour of a stand-up comedian.
Introduction to Mentalism and Mind Magic
Reg begins with a little audience interaction, introducing the topic of how magic doesn’t have to be about sleight of hand or well-rehearsed movements. Just as well for someone like Reg, born with coordination issues.
Memory
Demonstrations of how memory techniques can be used in the art of prediction, mental misdirection and psychological manipulation.
“Math-e-Magic”
Anything can be made to look like mind-reading. Even the patterns and coincidences which naturally occur in mathematics! A couple of Reg’s effects use the principles of maths without it being obvious.
Suggestion
Touching on hypnosis, a pendulum is just one prop used to show how something beginning in the mind can manifest as physical phenomena - Even if the person subjected to this “ideomotor response” categorically denies they are making it happen themselves!
Learn a Prediction Trick!
Everyone present learns the subtleties of language used by the best manipulators in the business, to learn a trick they can impress their friends and families with.
Mind Reading
Reg uses the principles of cold reading (the same used by Tarot Readers and Crystal Gazers) to determine who produced which sketch from a number of examples produced by audience members. Then in his final effect, he duplicates exactly an unseen drawing, produced by another volunteer.

Technical Requirements
I am used to performing under all kinds of extreme conditions, including roving around in muddy fields and out of the back of a truck at festivals, so no matter what you have to work with, I can adapt as necessary.
However for standard indoor shows, the following would be optimum for Hypnosis shows & demonstrations:
Five sturdy chairs arranged in a straight row on a flat, easily viewed area with at least one metre behind and two metres in front of and at the sides. (Extra chairs at the rate of 5 per 100 people should also be available nearby.)
I can supply my own lighting and sound reinforcement to suit most situations and all I need is a simple household power outlet nearby. However, if I am flying and/or the lighting and sound is to be provided by the event organisers and/or venue, then my requirements are as follows:
If the performance area is a stage or is raised above the general seating area and the edge of the stage is unclear, then the edge must be clearly marked with a continuous, contrasting line (like duct tape) 100mm from the platform edge.
General lighting (a wash, in theatrical terms) covering the whole area described above.
Adequate sound amplification with one wireless, hand-held microphone.
Note:
I remote control my sound using wifi and an audio input needs to be on-stage or close to the performance area, in the form of an input to the PA system for a media player.
Even on an aeroplane, I travel with a variety of adaptor cables so any audio input will suffice.
For example, any one of the following: DI Box (XLR) Phono (RCA) 3.5mm Jack or 6mm Jack.
Please let me know if this isn't possible as I can also provide a CD and cuesheet for a sound technician to operate from.
Obviously, if the location is drivable, then I am more than happy to provide any required lighting and sound.

Comedy Stage Hypnosis Show - 60 to 90 minutes
Comedy Mind Magic Stage Show (no hypnosis) - 45 to 60 minutes
Roving/Street Hypnotist - Large scale events (including outdoor festivals)
Roving Mind Magician - Large scale events (including outdoor festivals)